 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
What Lies Beneath
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Thriller
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
Cross between Fatal Attraction, Poltergeist.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the movie may scare young teens, especially those without much exposure to the conventions of horror movies. Younger teens may also be concerned about the marital conflicts and adultery displayed in the film. The movie has sexual references and situations, brief strong language, and many scenes of peril, suspense, and betrayal.
What's the story?
WHAT LIES BENEATH is about Norman (Harrison Ford), a professor of genetics, and his wife Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer), a former cellist who is a bit at a loss after her only daughter leaves for college. But it turns out that her empty nest is not quite as empty as she thought. There seems to be a malevolent presence in the house. Norman, a scientist, does not believe in such things, and sends her to a psychiatrist (Joe Morton). At first, Claire thinks it is the spirit of a murdered faculty wife. There are some scary surprises, and what lies beneath turns out to be lies.
Is it any good?
Think Fatal Attraction crossed with Poltergeist and considerably dumbed down, and you have an idea of what this movie has in store for you. There are a couple of surprises and chills, but I am sure it is nothing compared to the horror in store for whomever persuaded Harrison Ford to follow up Random Hearts with another movie that fails so miserably. And that horror is nothing compared to what is in store for the idiot who decided that the advertising campaign for this movie should give away one of the two big surprises. To the extent that the first half of the movie had any suspense or interest whatsoever, it has been destroyed by telling the audience that it is all a red herring before they even come in the door.
The movie seems to try to follow a recipe -- two parts Hitchcock to one part ghost story -- with elements from Rear Window, Vertigo, and Rebecca. Doors swing open. Hinges squeal. Shadows loom. Music swells. And Michelle Pfeiffer, looking a little skeletal herself, gasps and runs from menaces from this world and the next. This movie tries to do for baths what "Psycho" did for showers. But it doesn't work. Hitchcock knew that suspense had to be about something. He brilliantly universalized his own neuroses to tap into the audience's horrified fascination. Director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future) tries to do that here, enticing us with the messy reality under the surface of the apparently perfect couple. But Norman and Claire (and Ford and Pfeiffer) don't draw us in. Norman's insecurity over his father's achievements and Claire's loss of a sense of self over giving up her career seem colored-by-numbers. And, though they are two of the most talented and entrancing stars ever, neither of them is up to the tasks set before them by this script.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether they believe in the supernatural, and what they might do if they felt a ghost had moved into their home. Some teens will be interested in finding out about the paranormal research facilities at Duke. Families could also talk about the way that all actions have consequences, on a psychological level, if not a supernatural one.
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AGE
scary horror movie is good but iffy
violence: lots, lots and lots of violence is implied in this sexed up scary movie. characters in peril and more
sex: reference to adultery and sexual references and situations.
language: theere is some pretty strong language in this film
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AGE
Pretty good! mature 12 year olds and up!
I think it was really good and not that scary at all! I watched it with all of my friends at my friends 13th birthday party! the only scary scary part is when the womans husband gives his wife weakness like sleepy kind of pills where she goes numb and cant move and then she almost drounds in the bathtub but winds up getting free, and then while shes trying to escape she thinks her husband is dead because he like ran into a mirror and shattered himself as she was in the bathrub (fully clothed btw not naked) but isn't really dead. Anyway while shes in her car he sudenly appears behind her and gets into the car and trys to kill her and drive her of into the lake where he killed the last woman but it all turns out find with i guess you could say a happy ending! plus there is a little sexuality not much! but the worst part of the sexual conten my friends old brother fast forwarded it so I can't really say what it is but is a little intense or he wouldn't have fast forwarded it. Anyway I hope It helped! all I have to say is defintly watch it with friends and not alone its a lot more fun and if you are a parent and you're iffy about letting your child watch a scary movie I think this is good starter for them and plus you don't see anyone die harshly just at the end you can tell the man is dead! but mostly characters are just hurt! P.S. if you look at the cover of the movie which is at the top of the page you can see the bathtub seen as you can see is the main cover. (the most intense/scary seen)
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AGE
He pays the price
Slow to start but a good movie that shows consequences.
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AGE
Lots of Fun
What Lies Beneath isn't exactly intelligent entertainment--but I got what I wanted from it, a fun, scary movie perfect to watch if you just want to be freaked out a bit. It's very suspenseful and entertaining, and the bath scene has to be one of the most suspenseful moments ever filmed.
As far as content goes, this movie is too scary for kids, but mature preteens will probably be able to handle it. Some violence and plenty of suspense, and one sexual scene, but nothing graphic. Good for kids 12+ who can handle thrills.
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AGE
lame but awesome
love it :P my title says it all. haha. harry is adorable xox
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AGE
Scary thriller
I was satisfied by this suspenseful story and I usually don't like this genre. Was just intense enough but not over the top.
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AGE
Scary, Intense! Great!
I loved this movie, but It's one of the scariest I have seen. I found myself holding a pillow in front of my face half the time! The violence isn't really the problem, it's more the intense moments. Your always on edge. But There was a bloody scene that could scare younger kids. (and one use of the F word) Otherwise, a great, teen, scary movie. With the most unexpected ending ever!
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AGE
i rate this title IFFY for ages 14+
What to watch out for
*
Violence:
Some lot of tension, characters in peril, scary surprises, discussions of murder.
*
Sex:
Sexual references and situations, references to adultery.
*
Language:
Brief strong language.
*
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
*
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Social drinking.
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AGE
great
really good phycological thriller me and my freind watched it and it scared the heck out of us but justice was done at the end.expect: blood, twisted characters, wife murderers, dead bodies, terror, and stalking. Hint: dont watch alone have pillows and blankets have freind(s) food and fun.
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AGE
Fine for teenagers
This was my very first scary movie, and back in the day it really freaked me out! However, with repeated viewings it lost some of it's punch. It is still a movie worth watching just to see the interaction between Michelle Phifer and Harrison Ford. There are some scary scenes and a lot of things jump out at you, which makes it kind of fun. It's not for young kids, but teenages will handle it just fine!
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Robert Zemeckis |
| Cast: | Diana Scarwid, Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer |
| Genre: | Thriller |
| Run time: | 130 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 21, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | January 30, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | tension, violence, horror, sensuality, and language |
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