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Sci-fi thriller

What Lies Below (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

What Lies Below (2020) movie poster

What Lies Below is a 2020 sci-fi thriller directed by Braden R. Duemmler, starring Trey Tucker as John Smith, Ema Horvath and Mena Suvari. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes and earned $21,676 worldwide. Critics gave it 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.

IMDb rating
4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
47%
worldwide gross
$21.7K
Echo Score
42
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What Lies Below (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 27m (87 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Mystery , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is What Lies Below About?

The premise of What Lies Below without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During a summer getaway, sixteen-year-old Liberty is thrown into turmoil when her mother becomes engaged to the charismatic John Smith. While seemingly perfect, John’s charm masks a disturbing secret that Liberty begins to suspect. As she investigates, she uncovers a chilling reality that puts her and her mother in grave danger, forcing her to confront a terrifying truth about the man her mother intends to marry.

What Lies Below Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • mother daughter relationship
  • new boyfriend
  • scientist
  • listening to sex
  • bug bite
  • lying about age
  • basement
  • tasting blood
  • water tank
  • handsome man
  • speedo
  • gift
+38 more
  • 16 year old
  • bookworm
  • lust
  • crush
  • volkswagen beetle
  • centipede
  • engagement
  • 42 year old
  • lamprey
  • blood
  • period
  • alien
  • sleep walking
  • pregnancy test
  • pregnancy
  • sex scene
  • woman tied up
  • calling someone baby girl
  • blonde
  • indian artifact
  • bearded man
  • having picture taken
  • summer camp
  • bare chested male
  • reference to cambridge
  • calling someone a pervert
  • calling someone a weirdo
  • geneticist
  • jealousy
  • vomiting
  • pregnant woman
  • mother slaps her daughter
  • orgasm
  • flashlight
  • screaming
  • bracelet
  • bound and gagged
  • alien monster
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Cast & crew

What Lies Below Cast & Characters

Trey Tucker leads the cast as John Smith, with Ema Horvath as Liberty Wells and Mena Suvari as Michelle Wells. Directed by Braden R. Duemmler; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in What Lies Below

· 4 more
Ratings

What Lies Below Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave What Lies Below 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 35 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 42/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (25).

42 /100

What Lies Below Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, What Lies Below struggles to deliver a coherent narrative despite moments of effective suspense. Critiques highlight awkward dialogue, an unsatisfying denouement, and a thinly developed plot, though some viewers appreciate the film’s unsettling atmosphere and occasional originality in the mystery elements. While performances by the leads and instances of visual flair offer intermittent engagement, the film’s unresolved conclusion and inconsistent storytelling undercut its impact. Ultimately, What Lies Below falls short of lasting appeal due to its uneven execution and lack of narrative payoff.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 50

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits moments of visual allure offset by an uneven production quality. Several audiences noted atmospheric outdoor settings and occasional striking compositions, while critics pointed to low-budget set design and rough editing shifts. The cinematography delivers isolated flashes of style, but the overall craft feels constrained by budgetary and technical limitations.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    In terms of character and emotion, performances elicit mixed reactions regarding depth and resonance. Some reviewers praised the lead’s nuanced portrayal and the eccentric charm of the mysterious newcomer, while others found the character relationships underdeveloped and the dialogue stilted. The emotional stakes occasionally register, yet inconsistent chemistry and sparse backstory diminish overall engagement.

  • Story & Flow 30

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative is uneven and often struggles to sustain momentum. Critics frequently cited awkward storytelling, pacing that stalls in the middle, and an ending perceived as mishandled rather than satisfying. A handful of viewers appreciated the initial suspense, but the abrupt tonal shifts and lack of coherent payoff undermine consistent engagement throughout the film.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film provides intermittent atmospheric tension through sound design and visual styling. The eerie score and sporadic sound effects contribute to unsettling moments, and some sequences feature an understated color palette that enhances the mood. However, inconsistent audio mixing and occasional visual roughness detract from coherence, resulting in a sensory profile that alternates between immersion and distraction.

  • Rewatch Factor 25

    When considering rewatch factor, the film offers limited incentive for subsequent viewings. Although some viewers discovered new details on a second watch, many found the unresolved ending and narrative ambiguity frustrating rather than engaging. The novelty of certain visual cues and hidden clues may appeal to a niche audience, but overall replay value remains low due to the film’s inconsistent execution.

Plot

What Lies Below Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in What Lies Below from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A sixteen-year-old named Liberty Wells, often called Libby, makes her way back to her family’s lakeside home after attending summer camp. Throughout their drive, her mother, Michelle Wells, a romance author, offers Libby the chance to practice her driving skills. Upon their arrival, Libby is introduced to her mother’s new partner, John, an aquatic geneticist who gifts her a bracelet adorned with symbols representing a fertility goddess. During their dinner, John elaborates on his work, indicating his focus on helping creatures adapt to evolving habitats.

Full summary

The whole story of What Lies Below, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

What Lies Below Box Office

What Lies Below grossed $21,676 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$21.7K

International
$21.7K
Videos

What Lies Below Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

What Lies Below | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
  • Trailer What Lies Below (2020) | Trailer | Ema Horvath | Troy Iwata | Troy Iwata
Quiz

How Well Do You Know What Lies Below?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name Libby prefers to be called?

Cars

Cars in What Lies Below

8 cars on screen, including the 2015 Ford Focus and the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria.

All 8 cars
  • 2015 Ford Focus in What Lies Below 2015 Ford Focus Featured role
  • 2006 Ford Crown Victoria in What Lies Below 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2015 Ford Focus in What Lies Below 2015 Ford Focus Minor role
  • 2015 Porsche Macan 95B in What Lies Below 2015 Porsche Macan 95B Minor role
Details

What Lies Below Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Viscous” and “Secreto oscuro”.

Also known as
  • Viscous
  • Secreto oscuro
  • Segredo Obscuro
  • Что скрывает вода
  • 왓 라이즈 빌로우
  • Especie oculta
  • 谎言之底
  • Perfeição Insondável
  • Co kryje się pod powierzchnią
  • Що приховує вода
  • מה שוכן מתחת
  • Мъж мечта
+4 more
  • Lo que hay debajo
  • Attrazione letale
  • 異種誘惑
  • Ce se ascunde dedesubt

Seen What Lies Below?

FAQ

What Lies Below FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of What Lies Below, each answered in a sentence.

How long is What Lies Below?

What Lies Below runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).

When was What Lies Below released?

What Lies Below was released on December 4, 2020.

Who directed What Lies Below?

What Lies Below was directed by Braden R. Duemmler.

Who is in the cast of What Lies Below?

What Lies Below stars Trey Tucker as John Smith, Ema Horvath as Liberty Wells and Mena Suvari as Michelle Wells, among 8 credited actors.

How much did What Lies Below make at the box office?

What Lies Below grossed $21,676 worldwide.

How is What Lies Below rated?

What Lies Below has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, 35 on Metacritic and 53% on TMDB.

Does What Lies Below have a post-credit scene?

No. What Lies Below has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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