What Lies Beneath

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
What Lies Beneath Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Cross between Fatal Attraction, Poltergeist.

PG-13 2000 130 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 11 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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.

Community Reviews

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
December 27, 2012
age 15+

A nice, creepy thriller.

This film is quite good when you're in the mood for something a little creepy and you're into supernatural stuff. It's somewhat slow but the story is interesting enough to keep watching. I owned it on VHS for the longest time and just finally bought the DVD! Michelle Pfeiffer plays a mom named Claire who's only child is going off to college. Claire seems lonely most of the time even while living with just her scientist husband who works a lot. She meets a mysterious woman next door who seems utterly sad and afraid but after meeting the woman's husband, Claire discovers by him that his wife is actually dead. Claire then believes that the husband murdered her and that the woman's spirit is trying to tell Claire a message. Paranormal activities start happening around the house especially when her husband is working. The real truth finally unfolds with a nice twist at the end. The film makes you think and feel - may have you looking over your shoulder half the time. Violence isn't bad - mainly scary themed situations. There is references to a murder. Sexual content is average - references to adultery, Claire acts sexy in a red dress in one scene, Claire and her husband mistake late night moaning sounds for sex from outside, so they get excited and hop into bed. That's about it. There is some strong language for a PG-13. Good for teens as young as 15 who are interested, although I think more older 18+ and adults will enjoy and appreciate it most.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
doctora
doctora Adult
June 11, 2022
age 16+

Starts off strong then goes a little bit off the rails.

I am not a fan of horror...however, this film has been suggested by many people and I finally gave it a go. That first hour is great! Captivating and creepy, the film feels like a how-to film for women being gaslit by their husbands. In the second hour is when it gets a bit more other-worldly and although some claim the film flies off the rails I think it is an enjoyable ride that fulfills its promise of a good time.
See all 6 parent reviews

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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.

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • The Sixth Sense Poster Image

    The Sixth Sense

    Great, but sometimes scarier than R-rated horror.

    age 14+
  • Notorious Poster Image

    Notorious

    Suspenseful but slow-moving Hitchcock thriller.

    age 11+
  • Poltergeist Poster Image

    Poltergeist

    One of the all-time great haunted house movies.

    age 13+

For kids who love Scary Movies

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate