What Lies Beneath

Name: What Lies Beneath
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Released: July 21, 2000
Duration: 130 min
Rating: 51
Cast: Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer

2000

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 78 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: July 21, 2000 | PG-13

Starring: Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer

Summary: A professor (Ford) investigates the murder of a beautiful college student who has been appearing to his wife (Pfeiffer).

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 130 min

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Critic Reviews

Shawn Levy

As it unwinds, What Lies becomes both masterful and preposterous. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

An uncommonly playful fright machine -- a fun house factory of scares. Read full review

Emanuel Levy

A thriller that tries aggressively, but not entirely successfully, to deliver the goods of three genres -- suspense, supernatural and horror. Read full review

Susan Wloszczyna

Never reaches much beyond the surface, and what lies there is all too predictable. Read full review

Jay Carr

Ford and Pfeiffer deliver craftsmanlike work, but the film steadily unravels as Zemeckis tries to ratchet up the suspense. Read full review

Steven Rea

Dumb, dumb, dumb - borrowing scare tactics from Hitchcock and other suspense masters, but forgetting basic story.telling essentials such as character development and logical exposition. Read full review

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

What Lies Beneath is my head on the movie theater floor, snoozing through this film. Read full review

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User Reviews

Hoppamel

Dec 20, 2020

An unforgettable impeccable performance by Michelle Pfeiffer. The story of a woman who becomes possessed by a ghost of the past, most notably the scene recalled by fans as the couple is about to make love, Michelle Pfeiffer's character turns towards her lover, played by Harrison Ford, andAn unforgettable impeccable performance by Michelle Pfeiffer. The story of a woman who becomes possessed by a ghost of the past, most notably the scene recalled by fans as the couple is about to make love, Michelle Pfeiffer's character turns towards her lover, played by Harrison Ford, and says "I think she's starting to suspect something...," "Who?" And replies: "your wife."… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JohnS.

Aug 10, 2006

What makes this movie great is that it's essentially a chick flick that descends into a suspense thriller. The scares and special effects are given in quality, not quantity, sprinkled perfectly throughout the plot. The ending requires you to stretch your brain a little, but the setup What makes this movie great is that it's essentially a chick flick that descends into a suspense thriller. The scares and special effects are given in quality, not quantity, sprinkled perfectly throughout the plot. The ending requires you to stretch your brain a little, but the setup leaves you so desperately wanting a manifestation of the fears involved that you take it. Pfeiffer does an excellent job carrying the load, and Ford is refreshing as a villain.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

beeanadou

Apr 30, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Interesting story and acting, there was an alternative to explain the paranormal things happened in the house and the hostess's hysterical reaction made you almost believed that it was the right answer, however, with the investigation going deeper, the really truth was not revealed until the very end. Brilliant story-telling keeps the audience in suspense. BTW, the film's name is a pun.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

OregonJayBird

Jan 8, 2015

Very Hitchcock like movie. True to his style in every way. Well written, well edited, well acted. Naysayers will be out there, but then, not everyone loves Hitchcock, either, so there you go.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Meth-dude

Apr 29, 2018

Despite an interesting story and a charming cast, What Lies Beneath has trouble raising it's quality above average. The acting wasn't particularly good despite the fact that both of the main characters are known to give good performances, the third act, while being entertaining wasDespite an interesting story and a charming cast, What Lies Beneath has trouble raising it's quality above average. The acting wasn't particularly good despite the fact that both of the main characters are known to give good performances, the third act, while being entertaining was completely illogical, cliché and way too over the top compared to the more realistic and slow previous acts and the movie isn't very scary.If you're looking for a good scary paranormal flick, I'd suggest you watch something else.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Voodoo123

Apr 10, 2022

This dry mystery thriller fails to generate enough tension with its superb cast. Seems in the persuit of a Hitchcock style zemekis instead strangely focusing here on unnecessary complex visual effects shots that serve only to distract from the events unfolding. Missed opportunity but anThis dry mystery thriller fails to generate enough tension with its superb cast. Seems in the persuit of a Hitchcock style zemekis instead strangely focusing here on unnecessary complex visual effects shots that serve only to distract from the events unfolding. Missed opportunity but an interesting watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JakeG

Sep 9, 2006

A stupid plotline really. I mean ghosts in a house? Ghosts going into people's bodies? Corny.

0 of 3 users found this helpful

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51	#51 Most Discussed Movie of 2000
29	#29 Most Shared Movie of 2000