The Wizard of Lies

Play trailer

2:26

The Wizard of Lies

TV-MA

2017

2h 13m

Drama

Crime

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In 2008, stockbroker, investment adviser and financier Bernie Madoff made headlines around the world when he was arrested for perpetrating perhaps the largest financial fraud in U.S. history.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The Wizard of Lies doesn't really shed much new light on its fact-based story, but thanks to solid direction and a talented cast, it still proves consistently watchable.

Read Critics Reviews

Gwen Ihnat

AV Club

Jul 20, 2020

B-

At the end of the film, we might have a better understanding of how this giant Ponzi scheme unfolded, but we still have no idea why it happened-a significant shortcoming for an HBO movie with this kind of pedigree.

Go to Full Review

Chuck Barney

San Jose Mercury News

Jul 20, 2020

It should come as no surprise that, through it all, De Niro's Madoff remains an enigma - an android-like con man prone to blank stares and remorseless, matter-of-fact statements when questioned about his reprehensible actions.

Go to Full Review

Michael Hogan

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jul 20, 2020

3/5

Pfeiffer stole the show as Madoff's wife Ruth, nervously chain-smoking her way through a scandal she naively knew nothing about.

Go to Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Feb 11, 2021

The most damning thing one can say is that The Wizard of Lies does not raise genuinely troubling questions about the existing social order.

Go to Full Review

Bruce R. Miller

Sioux City Journal

Jul 20, 2020

Like Ron Howard in "A Beautiful Mind" or "Genius," Levinson does whatever he can to make a static story pop to life.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Robert P

@Superbad Oct 21, 2026

The Wizard of Lies is a 3.5 star Movie!

See more

Breathe J

@SilverScreenSweetheart Jan 30, 2026

The Wizard of Lies chronicles the rise and fall of the late disgraced financier and convicted fraudster, Bernie Madoff. While it’s not a masterpiece, the Wizard of Lies is a strong, emotional, and engaging film. Barry Levinson’s direction was impressive, and while I was disappointed with most of the minor character’s performances, Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance was compelling. But it was Robert De Niro’s performance as Bernie Madoff that stole the show (no pun intended). His portrayal of Madoff was completely enticing, gripping, and convincing. He really made the movie worth watching. Overall, while it is far from the best movie I’ve ever seen, The Wizard of Lies is a compelling watch, especially for fans of crime dramas, thrillers, and the one and only Robert De Niro. Thank you for reading my review! God bless you, and stay safe. (And don’t steal.)

See more

Łukasz T

@RT88901891 Dec 29, 2025

Not a bad movie however it tried too much to whitewash and paint as innocent the Madoff family. 68/100

See more

Diaulas F

@RT13630323 Mar 1, 2025

Michelle Pfeiffer brilha dando vida a personagem Ruth. Pude sentir e viver como ela viveu. Merecia ter ganho o Emmy.

See more

Igor S

@Igor_Sena Oct 7, 2024

At some point, it started to get really repetitive, but it's still worth the watch, if you're in the mood for this kind of movie.

See more

Joe D

@RT21751528 Aug 9, 2024

I love this movie! The actors did such a good job and was so interesting!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Barry Levinson

Director

Robert De Niro

Bernie Madoff

Michelle Pfeiffer

Ruth Madoff

Alessandro Nivola

Mark Madoff

Nathan Darrow

Andrew Madoff

Kristen Connolly

Stephanie Madoff

The Irishman

95%

86%

The Irishman

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Irishman

One Last Heist

17%

22%

One Last Heist

Watchlist

The Many Saints of Newark

72%

59%

The Many Saints of Newark

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Many Saints of Newark

The Mule

69%

67%

The Mule

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Mule

Gosnell

62%

96%

Gosnell

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Gosnell

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Wizard of Lies: Trailer 1

2:26

Now Playing

Wizard of Lies: Behind the Scenes - There is no Innocent Explanation

2:32

Now Playing

The Wizard of Lies: Teaser Trailer 1

1:00

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In 2008, stockbroker, investment adviser and financier Bernie Madoff made headlines around the world when he was arrested for perpetrating perhaps the largest financial fraud in U.S. history.

Director: Barry Levinson
Producer: Joseph E. Iberti
Screenwriter: Sam Levinson, John Burnham Schwartz, Samuel Baum
Production Co: Tribeca Productions, Home Box Office (HBO)
Rating: TV-MA (L)
Genre: Drama, Crime
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2017
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings