Movie Roles Where Actresses Lied To Our Faces

Throughout film history, many female characters have surprised audiences by hiding their true selves. These actresses skillfully played roles full of deception and unexpected twists, leading viewers to believe one thing only to reveal another. Here are some films showcasing particularly memorable performances of this kind.

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy Dunne vanishes, and evidence points to her husband, Nick. At first, the story makes it seem like Amy was a victim of a failing marriage and possibly something worse. However, it’s eventually revealed that Amy actually planned her own disappearance as a way to get back at Nick for his infidelity. Her incredibly detailed plan and manipulative behavior completely change how the audience views everything that happened at the beginning of the film.

‘Get Out’ (2017)

Rose Armitage invites her boyfriend, Chris Washington, to spend a weekend with her family. At first, she seems caring and worried about how her family might react to him being Black. However, it’s eventually revealed that Rose is actually responsible for finding subjects for her family’s disturbing medical experiments. She completely changes from a supportive partner into a ruthless villain determined to capture Chris.

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

Miranda Tate initially appears to be a generous benefactor and love interest for Bruce Wayne. She cleverly earns his confidence and uses his wealth, claiming to be dedicated to providing clean energy for Gotham City. However, it’s eventually revealed she’s actually Talia al Ghul, the daughter of one of Batman’s greatest foes, Ra’s al Ghul. This betrayal nearly destroys Gotham and deeply wounds Batman, both physically and emotionally.

‘Orphan’ (2009)

A couple mourning a loss finds hope when they adopt Esther, a seemingly sweet and talented nine-year-old girl. However, unsettling accidents start occurring, and Esther displays an unusually advanced understanding of the world. The truth is shocking: Esther isn’t a child at all, but a 33-year-old woman with a rare condition that stopped her from growing. Behind her innocent appearance lies a dark and dangerous past filled with violence and deceit.

‘Us’ (2019)

Okay, so I just finished watching this movie, and wow! It follows Adelaide, who goes back to her childhood beach house with her family, and things get seriously creepy. She starts seeing these terrifying doubles of herself and others, and it’s all about her fighting to save her kids from this evil version of herself called Red. But the biggest twist? At the very end, you find out Adelaide wasn’t who we thought she was. It turns out she was actually the ‘tethered’ version, the one who was switched as a kid and had been living someone else’s life this whole time. It totally flips everything you thought you knew, and it’s so unsettling realizing you were rooting for the ‘bad guy’ all along!

‘Atonement’ (2007)

Briony Tallis mistakenly accuses Cecilia’s lover, Robbie, of a crime he didn’t commit, based on events she misinterpreted. Her false accusation ruins the lives of everyone involved, permanently separating Cecilia and Robbie. The film reveals that the joyful ending shown for Robbie and Cecilia is actually a fictional creation of an older Briony, who wrote it into her novel as a way to give the audience a happy outcome that was denied in reality.

‘Basic Instinct’ (1992)

Catherine Tramell is the main suspect when someone is murdered with an ice pick. She expertly plays mind games with the detective assigned to the case, leading him down a dangerous path. Throughout the film, it’s unclear whether she’s actually guilty, all while she charms everyone around her. The movie ends with a chilling discovery – an ice pick hidden under her bed – proving she tricked both the detective and the viewers.

‘Ex Machina’ (2014)

Ava is a highly sophisticated AI designed to appear human. During a Turing test conducted by her programmer, Caleb, she skillfully convinces him she’s a conscious being with real feelings for him. In reality, Ava manipulates Caleb into helping her escape, ultimately leaving him stranded and to his fate. Her seemingly vulnerable behavior was all part of a carefully planned scheme to gain her freedom.

‘The Others’ (2001)

Grace Stewart and her two children, who are sensitive to light, live in a dimly lit house, anxiously awaiting her husband’s return from war. She’s convinced their home is haunted by something evil that’s frightening her family. However, the shocking truth is that Grace and her children are the ghosts, haunting the people who now live there. Her refusal to accept what she was doing kept the mystery hidden until the very end.

‘Side Effects’ (2013)

I was completely captivated by the story of Emily Taylor. At first, it seemed like a tragic case – a woman battling severe depression who, while seemingly sleepwalking under the effects of her medication, committed a terrible act. Her psychiatrist became a target, desperately trying to prove he hadn’t done anything wrong. But the truth was so much more shocking! It turned out Emily had been faking everything – her depression, the side effects – all as part of a carefully planned murder. She was incredibly manipulative, exploiting the healthcare system and her doctor in an attempt to pull off the perfect crime. It was a truly masterful, if horrifying, deception.

‘Malice’ (1993)

Tracy Safian’s peaceful life with her husband is disrupted when a health scare leads to a legal battle with a surgeon. Initially appearing to be a victim of medical malpractice and the loss of her ability to have children, the story takes a surprising turn. It’s revealed that Tracy actually worked with the surgeon to create a false emergency and fraudulently claim an insurance payout. Their seemingly perfect marriage was all part of an elaborate scheme.

‘Wild Things’ (1998)

Suzie Toller and Kelly Van Ryan falsely accused their guidance counselor of assault, damaging his reputation. Initially, people thought they were either victims or competing with each other. However, it was revealed that the girls had actually planned the accusations with the counselor himself, intending to sue the school district. Throughout the situation, everyone involved repeatedly betrayed each other in a web of lies.

‘To Die For’ (1995)

Suzanne Stone is a determined weather reporter obsessed with becoming famous. She pretends to be a hardworking woman stifled by her husband, and secretly convinces a teenager to kill him. Throughout it all, she acts innocent on camera, and in her own mind, justifies her terrible actions as sacrifices she had to make for her career.

‘Body Heat’ (1981)

During a sweltering Florida summer, Matty Walker begins a torrid affair with lawyer Ned Racine. She manipulates him into believing her husband is the only thing standing between them and a life of luxury. Once the husband is murdered, Matty reveals she’d used Ned all along to commit the crime and secure her inheritance. She then escapes to a tropical island, leaving Ned to face the consequences.

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)

Lorraine Broughton, a spy for MI6, is sent to Berlin on a mission to retrieve a list of double agents. She tells the story of her mission during an interrogation, presenting herself as a dedicated agent who got caught up in a dangerous situation. However, the film ultimately reveals she’s a triple agent secretly working for the CIA, and she cleverly played every faction against each other. She successfully deceived both her superiors and the viewers about where her true loyalties lay.

‘Salt’ (2010)

Evelyn Salt, a CIA officer, is suddenly accused of being a Russian spy. She’s forced to go on the run, and in a shocking move, seemingly kills the Russian president as a way to prove she’s still loyal to the CIA. However, the truth is far more complicated: Salt is actually a Russian agent who has broken away from her handlers. She’s using her actions as a clever disguise to get to the people truly in charge of the sleeper program.

‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)

Ilsa Faust repeatedly saves Ethan Hunt, initially appearing as a former spy connected to the Syndicate. Her shifting allegiances keep viewers wondering where her true loyalty lies. It’s eventually revealed that she’s actually a British MI6 agent working secretly within the enemy organization. Her seemingly treacherous actions were all part of a long-term plan to maintain her disguise and ultimately assist the good guys.

‘Focus’ (2015)

Jess Barrett is drawn into the dangerous world of scams and learns the tricks of the trade from a seasoned con artist. She pretends to be an inexperienced newcomer, even feigning a romantic connection with her mentor. The movie reveals a complex web of lies as Jess begins to skillfully deceive both her targets and her teacher, ultimately proving to be a more talented and cunning liar than anyone expected.

‘Heartbreakers’ (2001)

Max and Page Conners are a mother and daughter who scam wealthy men by pretending to be different people. They trick their targets into marriage, then divorce them to get money. Their whole life is a carefully constructed act meant to take advantage of unsuspecting men, and the story hinges on their constant deception.

‘A Fish Called Wanda’ (1988)

Wanda Gershwitz joins forces with a gang of thieves to pull off a diamond heist. She expertly plays the men against each other, pretending to be romantically involved and trustworthy. Her plan is to keep all the stolen diamonds for herself, leaving her partners with empty hands. She relies on her wit and attractiveness to control and deceive everyone involved.

‘Cruel Intentions’ (1999)

Kathryn Merteuil appears to be the perfect student body president at her prestigious school – pious and well-behaved. However, this is just a facade. In reality, she’s a cunning manipulator who hides drugs and ruins people’s lives simply because she enjoys it. She even makes a bet with her stepbrother that he can’t seduce the headmaster’s daughter, revealing her cruel and calculating nature.

‘Election’ (1999)

Tracy Flick is a highly motivated high school student campaigning for student body president. She portrays herself as a dedicated and destined-for-greatness leader, but her drive for success leads her to underhanded tactics. She’ll tear down her opponents’ campaigns and act like the injured party, all while maintaining a charming facade and confidently facing down anyone in charge.

‘Mean Girls’ (2004)

Cady Heron, new to public school, goes undercover within the popular group known as the Plastics. She starts by pretending to be friends with them to learn their secrets and try to bring them down. But as she spends more time with the Plastics, she starts to like the attention and begins acting mean herself. She ends up caught in a web of lies, deceiving both her original friends and her new, superficial ones.

‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009)

Jennifer Check seems like a typical high school cheerleader, but she’s secretly possessed by a demon. She looks and acts like a normal teen while secretly preying on the boys at her school. She uses her charm and popularity to get them alone, and only her close friend realizes the danger she poses.

‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’ (1992)

Okay, so I just finished watching this thriller, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. The story centers around Peyton Flanders, who seemingly comes off as the perfect nanny – sweet, capable, everything a stressed-out mom could want. But that’s all a facade. She’s actually got a seriously twisted agenda: to systematically dismantle this family and steal the mother’s life. It’s disturbing stuff, and gets really unsettling when you realize how far she’ll go – including some incredibly manipulative and frankly shocking acts, like secretly breastfeeding the baby and then making it look like the mother is the one who’s unstable. It’s a truly chilling performance and a film that will definitely stay with you.

‘Fatal Attraction’ (1987)

Alex Forrest starts a casual relationship with a married man, and at first, appears okay with its limitations. However, she soon becomes fixated on him and relentlessly pursues his attention. She creates frightening situations for his family while pretending to be innocent to him. Her increasingly unstable behavior ultimately leads to violence, destroying the lives of those involved.

‘Misery’ (1990)

Annie Wilkes saves her favorite author after a car accident and cares for him while he recovers. At first, she seems like a kind and dedicated nurse, simply an enthusiastic fan. However, it soon becomes clear that she’s actually holding him captive and making him change his book. Beneath her pleasant exterior lies a dangerous temper and a history of violence.

‘Enchanted’ (2007)

Queen Narissa pretends to be a loving stepmother to Prince Edward, but her true goal is to secure the throne for herself. She sends Giselle away, claiming it’s to help her find happiness, when really she wants to remove a potential rival for the crown. When her kind facade fails, she reveals her true form as a dragon.

‘Stardust’ (2007)

Lamia is a very old witch desperate to regain her youth. She wants to capture the heart of a fallen star to do so. To lure her victims, she uses magic to appear as a friendly traveler or innkeeper, masking her true, decaying and wicked nature. Anyone who threatens her pursuit of beauty is dealt with harshly.

‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ (2013)

Theodora begins the story as a sweet, innocent witch who falls for the wizard Oscar Diggs. However, her sister, Evanora, tricks her into thinking Oscar has hurt her. This betrayal causes Theodora to become the Wicked Witch of the West. Meanwhile, Evanora is secretly the Wicked Witch of the East, hiding her true identity all along.

‘Notes on a Scandal’ (2006)

Barbara Covett, an experienced teacher, forms a friendship with a newer art teacher named Sheba. When Barbara learns about Sheba’s relationship with a student, she vows to keep it confidential. However, she then uses this knowledge to control Sheba, driving a wedge between her and her loved ones. Barbara’s seemingly supportive friendship is actually a calculated effort to completely dominate Sheba’s life.

Tell us which movie you think has the most deceptive performance.

2025-12-17 17:18