Lying and Stealing (2019) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Two indebted criminals orchestrate a final heist and murder to escape their past obligations.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Weight of Debt

Ivan faces relentless pressure from his crime boss Dimitri to complete another heist. Meanwhile, Elyse struggles with ruined acting prospects after a career-damaging theft. Both characters recognize their shared financial desperation and decide to collaborate.

Key Events

• Ivan's Art Heist Career — Ivan steals art from LA elites to service his debts. Characters: Ivan Location: Los Angeles
• Elyse's Fallen Career — Elyse stole a necklace and sold it cheap, ruining her acting prospects. Characters: Elyse Location: Producer's Room
• The Debt Realization — Dimitri insists Ivan needs one more job to clear his father's debts. Characters: Ivan Location: Dimitri's Office
• The Desperate Alliance — Two indebted individuals decide to team up for one final score. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Bar

The Heist & The Heat

The duo executes a high-stakes theft targeting a valuable historical painting. Federal agents begin surveillance, forcing Ivan to hide the evidence. Dimitri retaliates by threatening Ivan and searching his apartment, escalating the stakes.

Key Events

• The Desperate Alliance — Two indebted individuals decide to team up for one final score. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Bar
• The Heist Planning — They meticulously plot a combined heist and con to escape obligations. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Safehouse
• Hitler Self-Portrait Theft — Ivan successfully steals a valuable self-portrait of Hitler. Characters: Ivan Location: Museum
• FBI Surveillance Begins — Federal agents start tracking Ivan's movements after the theft. Characters: Ivan Location: Streets
• Hiding the Evidence — Ivan conceals the stolen artwork to evade the pursuing FBI. Characters: Ivan Location: Safehouse

The Shift to Murder

Facing threats from both the boss and the law, the protagonists abandon their original theft plan. They formulate a lethal strategy to eliminate Dimitri entirely. The FBI offers a deal, but Ivan refuses to maintain his independence.

Key Events

• Hiding the Evidence — Ivan conceals the stolen artwork to evade the pursuing FBI. Characters: Ivan Location: Safehouse
• Dimitri's Retaliation — Dimitri threatens Ivan and orders a search for the hidden painting. Characters: Dimitri, Ivan Location: Ivan's Apartment
• Failed Apartment Search — Thugs search the flat but fail to locate the concealed artwork. Characters: Dimitri, Ivan Location: Ivan's Apartment
• FBI Offer of Deal — Agent Wilkers proposes a deal if Ivan betrays Dimitri. Characters: Ivan Location: FBI Office
• Refusal of the Deal — Ivan rejects the FBI's proposition to maintain his own agenda. Characters: Ivan Location: Street
• The Lethal Plot Formulation — The duo shifts strategy from theft to eliminating their creditor. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Car

The Bar Trap & The Fall

Elyse lures Dimitri to his home under the guise of romantic interest. Accomplices secretly drug his wine with cocaine, knowing his high blood pressure will cause a fatal reaction. The crime boss consumes the drink and dies.

Key Events

• The Lethal Plot Formulation — The duo shifts strategy from theft to eliminating their creditor. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Car
• Elyse's Bar Approach — Elyse successfully engages Dimitri by feigning romantic interest. Characters: Elyse, Dimitri Location: Bar
• Journey to Dimitri's Home — Dimitri invites Elyse to his residence, unaware of the trap. Characters: Elyse, Dimitri Location: Car
• The Drugged Wine — Cocaine is secretly mixed into Dimitri's drink by the accomplices. Characters: Elyse, Dimitri Location: Dimitri's Home
• Dimitri's Fatal Consumption — Dimitri drinks the drugged wine, triggering a fatal reaction due to high blood pressure. Characters: Dimitri Location: Dimitri's Home

Aftermath & Redemption

Authorities officially rule the death as self-inflicted, allowing the protagonists to walk away clean. Ivan returns the stolen artworks and keeps one personal memento. He repays Elyse's debt, fully restoring her career and their freedom.

Key Events

• The Cover-Up — Authorities officially rule the death as self-inflicted. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Police Station
• Artworks Returned — Stolen art is returned to owners, preserving the group's clean slate. Characters: Ivan Location: Warehouse
• Ivan Keeps the First Painting — Ivan retains the initial artwork stolen by his father as a personal memento. Characters: Ivan Location: Warehouse
• Repaying the Necklace Debt — Ivan pays the producer to clear Elyse's debt and restore her career. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Producer's Office
• A Clean Slate — Both protagonists achieve freedom from their past obligations. Characters: Ivan, Elyse Location: Street

Story Breakdown

• The Debt Burden — Ivan owes his life to a ruthless crime boss, while Elyse faces ruin after a career-damaging theft.
  • Ivan's Criminal Ties — Ivan steals art from LA elites to service his debts.
  • Elyse's Fallen Career — Elyse stole a necklace and sold it cheap, ruining her acting prospects.
• The Desperate Alliance — Recognizing their shared predicament, the thief and the con artist decide to combine their skills.
  • Initial Meeting — Two indebted individuals decide to team up for one final score.
  • Mutual Agreement — They meticulously plot a combined heist and con to escape obligations.
• The Art Heist — The duo executes a high-stakes theft targeting a valuable historical painting.
  • Museum Infiltration — Ivan successfully steals a valuable self-portrait of Hitler.
  • Hiding the Evidence — Ivan conceals the stolen artwork to evade the pursuing FBI.
• The FBI Pressure — Federal agents close in, offering a deal that threatens the protagonists' independence.
  • Surveillance Begins — Federal agents start tracking Ivan's movements after the theft.
  • Deal Refusal — Ivan rejects the FBI's proposition to maintain his own agenda.
• The Lethal Shift — Facing threats from both the boss and the law, the plan escalates from theft to murder.
  • Plotting the Elimination — The duo shifts strategy from theft to eliminating their creditor.
  • Recruiting the Driver — Ivan and Elyse coordinate with Ray to execute the trap.
• The Bar Trap — Elyse lures the crime boss to his home under the guise of romantic interest.
  • Feigned Seduction — Elyse successfully engages Dimitri by feigning romantic interest.
  • Drugged Wine — Cocaine is secretly mixed into Dimitri's drink by the accomplices.
• The Aftermath — The boss dies, the art is returned, and the protagonists secure their freedom.
  • Official Cover-Up — Authorities officially rule the death as self-inflicted.
  • Debt Repayment — Ivan pays the producer to clear Elyse's debt and restore her career.

Directed by

Matt Aselton

Key Cast

• Theo James — Ivan
• Emily Ratajkowski — Elyse
• Fred Melamed — Dimitri
• Aris Alvarado — Pool Man
• Fernanda Andrade — Mary