Watch What Lies Beneath

What Lies Beneath is a psychological horror-thriller released in 2000 directed by Robert Zemeckis. The film stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer in lead roles and Katharine Towne in a supporting role. The movie was well-received by the audience and critics and is known for its intense and spine-chilling storyline. The film follows the story of Claire Spencer (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her husband, Dr. Norman Spencer (Harrison Ford). Claire is a housewife who has recently sent her daughter, Caitlin (Katharine Towne), off to college, leaving her feeling alone and restless in the large and empty Victorian house she shares with her husband. Norman is a successful scientist who is often busy with his work at the lab.

As Norman gets busier, Claire starts experiencing a strange and unsettling presence in her home. She hears noises and sees strange happenings, like the tub filling with water on its own, while no one is around. Claire begins to believe that the house is haunted by a ghost and starts to investigate the mystery behind it. Her suspicions grow stronger as she encounters strange occurrences and receives mysterious phone calls.

As this happens, Norman tries to dismiss Claire's concerns as the result of her empty nest syndrome and depression because of Caitlin leaving for college. He, however, becomes concerned when Claire starts to have hallucinations and memories of a previous tenant of the house who had committed suicide.

Trying to make sense of it all, Claire turns to her new neighbor, Mary Feur (Miranda Otto), for help. Mary confirms that the previous tenant, Madison Elizabeth Frank (Amber Valletta), did indeed commit suicide, and her ghost is now haunting the house. Claire realizes that Madison's death was not a suicide and that her husband, Dr. Norman Spencer, was involved in her death.

Now, Claire must confront her husband and the demons of her past to save herself and her daughter from the danger that lies beneath. Norman tries to manipulate her to stay quiet and not reveal the truth, but the more Claire learns, the more determined she becomes to bring justice to Madison.

The film proceeds with thrilling and suspenseful scenes that keep the audience on edge. The plot builds up to an intense and heart-throbbing climax that makes this movie worth watching till the end. The movie creates a perfect balance between eerie haunted mansion elements and tense psychological thriller plot twists.

The movie’s strength lies in the exceptional performances of the cast. Harrison Ford is impressive in the role of the cold and calculating Norman Spencer. Michelle Pfeiffer excels in playing the emotionally distraught and determined Claire Spencer. Katharine Towne is excellent in the role of the daughter, and Miranda Otto brings a sense of mystery to her character.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film uses a variety of techniques to create suspense, fear and keep the audience engaged. Without relying on cheap jump scares, the movie keeps the audience on edge and delivers an experience that is both thrilling and terrifying. The eerie atmosphere created by the cinematography adds to the overall sense of unease.

Overall, What Lies Beneath is an excellent example of how a horror movie should be. With its intricate plot, engaging characters and masterful direction, this movie is a spine-chilling suspenseful ride that is sure to leave audiences at the edge of their seats. If you're looking for a good scare, this is your movie!

What Lies Beneath is a 2000 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 51.