Everyone Lies: The Crime Series Everyone Is Talking About

The series "Tout le monde ment" features Vincent Elbaz, who had been rare on screen, in the role of Vincent

Everyone Lies is a Franco-Belgian crime series centered on criminal intrigue and social critique. Directed by Hélène Angel and Akim Isker, it is based on a script by Olivier Norek, a former police officer and crime novelist. It has been broadcast since 2022 in Switzerland, Belgium, and France on public channels.

This creation appeals to a French-speaking audience in search of realism and suspense. It also addresses current societal issues. Its writing denounces abuses of power without going to excess.

A gallery of atypical characters

Vincent Verner, played by Vincent Elbaz, is a disgraced ex-cop. He works in a bookstore in the Latin Quarter. Then, Alice Mojodi, an honest prosecutor played by Mariama Gueye, recruits him for a clandestine group.

Vincent Elbaz, also known as Vincent Verner, a disillusioned cop turned bookseller, pays as much attention to his look as he does to his lines. Anecdote? The suit he is wearing here almost never saw the light of day: it was saved from a coffee spill by the costume designer herself, just 10 minutes before a crucial promo shoot.

This group is called the sensitive affairs group. It tracks crimes that powerful individuals attempt to cover up. Thus, the series questions corruption and impunity.

Malory Servaz (Joséphine de Meaux) is a hacker. Julien de Grève (Thomas Silberstein) is a determined young police officer. Maximilien (Jackie Berroyer), a mysterious bookseller, completes this team.

Mariama Gueye, who plays the prosecutor Alice Mojodi, brings both elegance and an inner fire to the series. During the filming of a tense courtroom scene, she improvised a powerful line. As a result, the screenwriter decided to permanently incorporate it into the script.

A staging rooted in reality

The story takes place in Paris and Lyon, with scenes filmed in the Rieffel bookstore. Founded in 1909, it symbolizes memory and resistance. Its walls house a century of history.

Olivier Norek relies on real events to enhance authenticity. He evokes the impunity of elites and the pressures faced by the justice system. The style, sober and immersive, maintains constant tension.

Anne Girouard, who portrays a judge torn between her conscience and hierarchical pressures in “Tout le monde ment,” brings a rare intensity to her role. Fun fact: she reportedly hesitated for a long time before accepting this character, until she was convinced by a sharp line… written in the margins of the script by Olivier Norek himself!

A prestigious cast for a strong message

The series features renowned actors. Stéphane Freiss plays a cynical CEO in episode 3. Julien Boisselier portrays a controversial artist in episode 2.

Vincent Elbaz often discusses fatherhood in his interviews. He seeks to portray a sensitive masculinity that respects each female character.

The themes addressed include femicides, domestic violence, and economic crimes. The staging favors suggestion. Thus, every glance or silence amplifies the sense of urgency.

Elbaz, still as charismatic off set, here at a premiere in Paris. According to rumors, his black trench coat is a personal nod to Columbo. Indeed, it is one of the references claimed by the series' writers. He even nicknamed it — Elbaz, still as charismatic off set, here at a premiere in Paris. According to rumors, his black trench coat is a personal nod to Columbo. Indeed, it is one of the references claimed by the series’ writers. He even nicknamed it “Vincent Verner’s armor”!

A work between homage and innovation

Everyone Lies is inspired by Maigret. Some shots and music evoke Georges Simenon. However, the series innovates with its modernity and committed approach.

Screenwriters Cyril Cannizzo and Nicolas Lebel energize the plot. Their writing alternates between methodical investigation and societal reflections. The mix is reminiscent of Columbo, where the culprit is revealed from the start.

Production and literary inspiration

The producers collaborated with legal and security professionals. They aimed for a credible social crime drama. Testimonies from judges and lawyers enriched the script.

This approach evokes Joseph Kessel, a proponent of documented realism. It contributes to the journalistic aspect of the work. Yet, narrative tension remains at the forefront.

A positive and lasting reception

Since 2022, Everyone Lies has attracted a wide audience. In Belgium, more than 120,000 people follow each episode. On France 2, the series finds its place week after week.

The key message remains: no one is above the law. This theme resonates with a time marked by institutional distrust. The title highlights a universal paradox.

Why "Everyone Lies" is an essential social crime drama

Everyone Lies combines police intrigue and social critique. Each episode offers a thrilling investigation while highlighting the absurdity of certain injustices. The characters, complex and often tormented, echo the dilemmas society may face today.

This Franco-Belgian fiction demonstrates that one can entertain while provoking thought. It appeals to fans of crime dramas as well as viewers seeking realism. Thanks to its approach rooted in everyday life and scenarios inspired by real events, the series encourages reflection. Indeed, it prompts questioning one’s own view of justice.

Moreover, its success underscores the vitality of the crime genre in French-speaking audiovisual media. The screenwriters and directors prove that narrative quality, societal anchoring, and uncompromising suspense can be reconciled. It is precisely this alchemy that makes Everyone Lies essential. Indeed, it attracts enthusiasts of police stories and human tales.