After pulling over so Britney can go to the bathroom in the woods, Jay hears Kayla scream and finds her sitting alone on a bridge over a river.

Sam spots Kayla outside Jay's apartment and tries to grab her, but she retreats back into the house as he is chasing her, banging on the windows, and screaming her name.

The next morning, as Jay and Rebecca scrub Sam's blood off her car, Britney suddenly appears, alive and well, asking to speak to Kayla.

The website's critics consensus reads, "Queasily compelling without ever truly coming together, The Lie won't fool many viewers seeking worthwhile horror fare.

[11] Kate Erbland of IndieWire wrote, "Too stupid to be the hard-hitting drama it was first sold as and too self-important to be the black comedy it really should be, Sud's film is a master class in bad decision-making, improbable choices, and overwrought acting.

Club gave it a C- grade, calling the film "laughably ludicrous" and saying that it "seems to fancy itself a meditation on the extremes parents will go to on their children's behalf, but it's curiously disinterested in what should be its driving dramatic force: how Kayla's crime—and how little it seems to weigh on her conscience—might challenge their unconditional love for her.

"[13] RogerEbert.com's Nick Allen gave it 1.5/4 stars, writing, "Very little about this movie works, in spite of a certain ambition in telling a story based solely on unfathomable decisions.

"[14] The Guardian's Phil Hoad gave it 4/5 stars, writing, "the couple are so blinkered in protecting their offspring that it prevents The Lie from entering more psychologically torn territory that might have made it profound.

"[15] Al Horner of Empire gave it 3/5 stars, calling it "A watchable tale of parental dread, propelled by a strong conceit and sustained tension - but let down by its outlandish twist.