Focusing on the the theme of consequences of one's mistakes, We Were Liars follows the wealthy, seemingly perfect Sinclair family, who spend every summer sitting gathered on their private island. However, not every year is the same: When something happens to Cadence during the summer of her 15th year, she and the other three "Liars" — Johnny, Gat and Mirren — re-emerge two years later to prompt Cadence to remember the incident.