What Lies Beneath
Norman and Claire Spencer are a seemingly happily married couple who uncover a terrible secret… a secret so disturbing it threatens to destroy them.
What critics thought
Critics at the time were split but leaning sour: most agreed Zemeckis stages individual sequences with genuine craft, but felt the Hitchcock homage was more mechanical than inspired and that the film falls apart in its final act. The first hour drew real praise for atmosphere and tension; the back half, particularly the ending, drew real scorn for leaning on supernatural contrivance and a creaking script.
“spooky with a polished kind of creepiness added in... What Lies Beneath nevertheless feels more planned than passionate, scary at points but unconvincing overall.”
Los Angeles Times
“after a slow build that at times makes every hair stand on end – Zemeckis rolls out every thriller cliché there is. A pity, because until then it's a smart, realistically staged, adult-oriented and extraordinarily effective domestic chiller.”
Time Out
“The biggest surprise is, perhaps, that what emerges is no masterpiece, but a semi-sophisticated shocker, playfully homaging Hitchcock like a mechanical masterclass in doing 'genre'. The first hour is great fun... It's an enjoyably giddy ride, certainly, but once you're back from the edge of your seat, you realise most of the creaks and groans are from the decomposing script.”
Empire
“Lacking a smarter screenplay, it milks the genuine skills of its actors and director for more than it deserves, and then runs off the rails in an ending more laughable than scary. Along the way, yes, there are some good moments.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Drama, Horror, Mystery
Cast & Crew
Robert ZemeckisDirector
Michelle PfeifferClaire Spencer
Harrison FordNorman Spencer
Diana ScarwidJody
Joe MortonDr. Drayton
James RemarWarren Feur
Miranda OttoMary Feur
Wendy CrewsonElena
Ray BakerStan Powell
Micole MercurioMrs. Frank
Amber VallettaMadison Frank
Katharine TowneCaitlin Spencer
Sloane SheltonMrs. Templeton
Alan SilvestriComposer
Clark GreggWriter
Sarah KernochanWriter
Don BurgessCinematographyWhat Lies Beneath
Norman and Claire Spencer are a seemingly happily married couple who uncover a terrible secret… a secret so disturbing it threatens to destroy them.
What critics thought
Critics at the time were split but leaning sour: most agreed Zemeckis stages individual sequences with genuine craft, but felt the Hitchcock homage was more mechanical than inspired and that the film falls apart in its final act. The first hour drew real praise for atmosphere and tension; the back half, particularly the ending, drew real scorn for leaning on supernatural contrivance and a creaking script.
“spooky with a polished kind of creepiness added in... What Lies Beneath nevertheless feels more planned than passionate, scary at points but unconvincing overall.”
Los Angeles Times
“after a slow build that at times makes every hair stand on end – Zemeckis rolls out every thriller cliché there is. A pity, because until then it's a smart, realistically staged, adult-oriented and extraordinarily effective domestic chiller.”
Time Out
“The biggest surprise is, perhaps, that what emerges is no masterpiece, but a semi-sophisticated shocker, playfully homaging Hitchcock like a mechanical masterclass in doing 'genre'. The first hour is great fun... It's an enjoyably giddy ride, certainly, but once you're back from the edge of your seat, you realise most of the creaks and groans are from the decomposing script.”
Empire
“Lacking a smarter screenplay, it milks the genuine skills of its actors and director for more than it deserves, and then runs off the rails in an ending more laughable than scary. Along the way, yes, there are some good moments.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Drama, Horror, Mystery
Cast & Crew
Robert ZemeckisDirectorMichelle PfeifferClaire SpencerHarrison FordNorman SpencerDiana ScarwidJodyJoe MortonDr. DraytonJames RemarWarren FeurMiranda OttoMary FeurWendy CrewsonElenaRay BakerStan PowellMicole MercurioMrs. FrankAmber VallettaMadison FrankKatharine TowneCaitlin SpencerSloane SheltonMrs. TempletonAlan SilvestriComposerClark GreggWriterSarah KernochanWriterDon BurgessCinematography