The other title for this film - Cyber Seduction - makes it sound like an erotic thriller starring Shannon Tweed and how I wish it was because at least it would have been vaguely entertaining. Instead Virtual Lies is an ‘inspired by true events’ TV-movie that scrimps on the thrills and sexual intrigue. A married man shares a couple of flirtatious emails with another woman, his wife finds out and then he stops this online non-relationship. Soon the other woman is stalking the family intent on getting her man no matter the cost. If you’ve seen enough of these types of TV-movies you’ll know exactly how this story will play out as it gently plods to its inevitable conclusion.

The film’s major problem (beyond it being tedious, badly acted and incredibly cheap in appearance) is how poor the revenge aspect is. Beyond some pitiful efforts at Photoshop her supposed obsession really doesn’t boil over until near the end meaning that the first hour is a genuine slog to get through. It doesn’t help that the couple are also spectacularly dumb when it comes to suspecting who is actually spreading these rumours. At least the climax delivers some action, and an inevitable catfight, but it comes way too late to save this soporific thriller.