The Five Year Lie

The domestic thriller is a subgenre of the larger thriller genre. As a genre, thrillers rely on tension and suspense; unlike other crime narratives, they typically work by shrouding a crime in mystery and then building toward a climactic resolution that includes twists and surprise revelations. Thrillers comprise a variety of subgenres; for instance, espionage thrillers are set on large-scale backdrops, featuring the maneuvering of countries and governments. In contrast, domestic thrillers bring conflict into intimate spaces like homes and neighborhoods, creating tension from the secrets and lies between couples, families, and community members. The subgenre often deals with dark themes such as abuse, violence, mental illness, and betrayal—disturbing undercurrents that are juxtaposed with the seeming warmth and familiarity of home life. This contrast between a veneer of idyll and interior darkness casts doubt on the stability and trustworthiness of relationships. The Five Year Lie fits this mold, exposing the family drama and lies surrounding Ariel Cafferty’s supposedly dead lover, the father of her child.

While some argue that even ancient Greek tragedies like Euripides’ fifth-century BC play Medea can be considered domestic thrillers, the more recognizable form of this subgenre became popular in the mid-20th century.