5 Movies & TV Series About Toxic Relationships to Watch Now That 'Tell Me Lies' Is Axed

News of the cancellation of Tell Me Lies after three seasons came as a shock to fans of the toxic and addictive story of Lucy and Stephen's relationship.

If you're missing that tension, we've recalled five movies and TV series about equally complex, painful, and captivating relationships.

1. 'Possession', 1981

IMDb Score: 7.2/10

Mark works for the Secret Service and frequently travels on business. When he returns home, he finds that his wife, Anna, is acting coldly and has nearly abandoned their child. Over time, she becomes even stranger.

Andrzej Żuławski channeled some of his own post-divorce experiences into this movie. However, rather than portraying relationship problems and infidelity as a simple drama, he turned it into a horror.

At its core, though, is the couple's dissatisfaction with each other and their search for the ideal partner.

2. 'The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart', 2023

IMDb Score: 7.8/10

Nine-year-old Alice Hart endured years of abuse at the hands of her father. Her mother, Agnes, who was pregnant with her second child, also suffered greatly, but she was afraid to report her abusive husband to the police. Then, Alice's parents died in an unclear fire.

Now, Alice's domineering grandmother, June, the owner of a flower farm, has taken custody of her. About a dozen women who have experienced domestic violence live there. June provides them with shelter from their abusers.

At the farm, Alice struggles to cope with her terrible psychological trauma. As an adult, Alice learns numerous family secrets and tries to avoid following in her mother's tragic footsteps.

3. 'Bitter Moon', 1992

IMDb Score: 7.2/10

The married couple, Nigel and Fiona, are struggling to cope with a marital crisis. They board a cruise ship where they meet an unusual couple: Oscar, who is paralyzed, and his young wife, Mimi, who cares for him. These new acquaintances draw Nigel and Fiona into their games.

Roman Polanski brings a ruthless and traumatic story of passion to the screen. Mimi is a woman who was once sincerely in love but has become cruel due to her husband's actions.

4. 'Blue Valentine', 2010

IMDb Score: 7.3/10

Dean and Cindy used to be young, passionate lovers. After years of marriage, however, they drifted apart and started arguing more and more. Even their attempts to rekindle their former closeness often led to arguments. Still, the characters strive to maintain their connection.

Blue Valentine beautifully illustrates how relationships can deteriorate over time. This is largely due to their differing life priorities: Cindy strives for growth and a new status, while Dean is a man without ambition.

5. 'May December', 2023

IMDb Score: 6.7/10

Elizabeth is preparing for her next role. She will play Gracie, a real-life woman who worked as a teacher and seduced a student named Joe.

Gracie served time in prison for this crime, but after her release, she married Joe, and now they are raising a family together. To better immerse herself in the role, Elizabeth decides to visit Gracie's family.