What Lies Beneath

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2:27

What Lies Beneath

PG-13

Released Jul 21, 2000

2h 6m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

Drama

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Popcornmeter

49%

Tomatometer

131 Reviews

58%

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250,000+ Ratings

It had been a year since Dr. Norman Spencer (Harrison Ford) betrayed his beautiful wife Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer). But with Claire oblivious to the truth, Norman's life and marriage seem so perfect that when Claire tells him of hearing mysterious voices and seeing a young woman's image in their home, he dismisses her terror as delusion. Claire moves closer to the truth and it becomes clear that this apparition will not be dismissed, and has come back for Dr. Spencer and his beautiful wife.

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Critics Consensus

Robert Zemeckis is unable to salvage an uncompelling and unoriginal film.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Cross between Fatal Attraction, Poltergeist.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Most of the “boo” moments are obvious a mile off, which makes it hard to be properly frightened, or even startled.

Rated: D+

May 8, 2002

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Ed Gonzalez

Slant Magazine

Pfeiffer almost single-handedly lifts the picture above mediocrity.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 2, 2001

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Robert Zemeckis's filmmaking is precise but also a bit too precious and passionless. Still, Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer are perfectly cast & the melodramatic heat of its final stretch — featuring one of Zemeckis's all-time great bits — saves it.

Rated: 3/5

May 19, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

As schizophrenic as any film that comes to mind -- I reasonably wondered if elements from Wuthering Heights or Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood wouldn’t somehow find their way into this crazy patchwork quilt of a movie.

Rated: 2/4

May 10, 2025

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Michele "Izzy" Galgana

ScreenAnarchy

A twisty, supernatural thriller with a good dose of melodrama. Think Hitchcock with a bit of Douglas Sirk. It’s a very well-made film. ... A very enjoyable, fun thriller, the kind that you want to watch on a dark, stormy night.

May 8, 2025

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Sarah G.

Fun suspense movie and a different kind of role for Harrison. We’ve watched this movie several times.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/16/25

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Ed B

I liked it, great performance from Michelle Pfiffer and I was involved in the script. We generally don't like scary movies but I'll give this one a pass. I think its underrated. It didn't change my life but it was entertaining and well made.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/03/25

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judy b

Actually should have given it one star, or no star. A real waste of my time. There was a surprise ending, but that didn’t help. I kept watching, thinking it might get better, but never did.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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Sarah G

This has become one of my favorite movies. Good cast and suspenseful.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

Full Review

Esra Y

Michelle Pfeiffer in a ghost story about a woman taking back her own power? I love this movie. Very good flick.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/20/25

Full Review

K-ro A

Great movie! I enjoy it till the begining to end

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

Full Review

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Robert Zemeckis

Director

Harrison Ford

Norman Spencer

Michelle Pfeiffer

Claire Spencer

Diana Scarwid

Jody

Miranda Otto

Mary Feur

James Remar

Warren Feur

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - Channeling the Dead

2:09

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - What Do You Want?

2:01

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - You Killed Her, Didn't You?

2:04

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - Drowning in the Bathtub

2:13

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - I Think She's Starting to Suspect Something

2:13

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - I Know You Killed Her

2:03

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - The Woman That Lies Beneath

2:12

What Lies Beneath: Official Clip - Setting up a Suicide

2:13

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What Lies Beneath: Trailer 1

2:27

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Synopsis

It had been a year since Dr. Norman Spencer (Harrison Ford) betrayed his beautiful wife Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer). But with Claire oblivious to the truth, Norman's life and marriage seem so perfect that when Claire tells him of hearing mysterious voices and seeing a young woman's image in their home, he dismisses her terror as delusion. Claire moves closer to the truth and it becomes clear that this apparition will not be dismissed, and has come back for Dr. Spencer and his beautiful wife.

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Steve Starkey
Screenwriter: Clark Gregg, Sarah Kernochan, Clark Gregg
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks SKG, ImageMovers
Rating: PG-13 (Sensuality|Brief Language|Terror|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 21, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $155.4M
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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