A Lie of the Mind

Synopsis

A stark Montana landscape, 1985. A man flees the scene of his violent crime, while his victim struggles to piece together her shattered mind

In A Lie of the Mind, Sam Shepard presents a harrowing exploration of family dysfunction and the aftermath of domestic violence. Jake, having brutally beaten his wife Beth to the point of brain damage, seeks refuge with his family. Meanwhile, Beth recuperates under the care of her protective brother Mike. As both families grapple with the consequences of Jake’s actions, Shepard unearths deep-seated traumas and dysfunctional dynamics that have long simmered beneath the surface.

Through raw, emotionally charged dialogue and symbolic landscapes, Shepard delves into themes of toxic masculinity, identity, and the destructive power of love and jealousy.