What Lies Below

Movie Trailer

Release Date
December 4, 2020

Genre
Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Cast & Crew

• Ema Horvath as Liberty Wells
• Mena Suvari as Michelle Wells
• Trey Tucker as John Smith
• Haskiri Velazquez as Marley

Director
Braden R. Duemmler

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Cinematographer and short film director, debut feature film

Producer
Troy Scott, Braden R. Duemmler, Kevin McGrail

Writer
Braden R. Duemmler

Budget
Estimated $1-2 million

Production Company
DRF Productions, 4AM Films, Know Wonder

Running Time
87 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
TV-MA (for language, disturbing images, and some sexual content)

Content Advisory

• Suspenseful and disturbing themes
• Mild sexual content
• Creepy and unsettling imagery
• Sci-fi horror elements

Movie Story
“What Lies Below” follows the unsettling story of 16-year-old Liberty Wells (Ema Horvath), who returns home from summer camp to find that her mother, Michelle (Mena Suvari), has a new boyfriend, John Smith (Trey Tucker). At first glance, John seems perfect—charming, handsome, and intelligent. However, as Liberty spends more time with him, she begins to sense that something is off.

Liberty’s suspicions grow as she notices John’s strange behavior and uncanny knowledge of biology and aquatic life. Her discomfort escalates when she discovers that John’s presence is linked to mysterious occurrences around the lake near their home. As Liberty investigates further, she uncovers horrifying secrets that suggest John is not who—or what—he appears to be.

The film builds tension as Liberty’s discoveries reveal a dark and dangerous reality. What starts as a typical family drama quickly descends into a nightmare, as Liberty must confront the terrifying truth about John and his intentions. The story blends elements of horror and sci-fi, creating an atmosphere of dread that culminates in a shocking and unexpected climax.

“What Lies Below” explores themes of trust, family, and the fear of the unknown, using the familiar setting of a lakeside home to amplify the sense of isolation and vulnerability. The narrative keeps the audience guessing, balancing moments of suspense with unsettling revelations that lead to a disturbing conclusion.

Special Effects
The special effects in “What Lies Below” are used sparingly but effectively, enhancing the film’s eerie atmosphere and the unsettling nature of John’s true identity. The film employs practical effects and subtle CGI to create moments of horror, particularly in scenes involving the lake and John’s transformation, adding to the overall creepiness of the story.

Box Office Performance
“What Lies Below” had a limited release, primarily distributed through video on demand (VOD) platforms. The film gained a following on streaming services, where it became a topic of discussion for its twist ending and unsettling narrative, though it did not achieve significant commercial success.

Filming Locations

• Lake Lure, North Carolina, USA

Notable Quotes

• “He’s too perfect. It’s like he’s hiding something… or he’s not human.” – Liberty Wells
• “There’s something in the water, and it’s not just the lake.” – Liberty Wells

Behind-the-Scenes
“What Lies Below” was shot on location in North Carolina, taking advantage of the natural beauty and eerie isolation of Lake Lure to create the film’s unsettling atmosphere. The director, Braden R. Duemmler, intended to create a story that combined psychological horror with sci-fi elements, drawing inspiration from classic creature features and the fear of the unknown.

Awards

• None

Final Verdict
“What Lies Below” is a suspenseful and unsettling horror-sci-fi hybrid that keeps viewers on edge with its mysterious narrative and creepy atmosphere. Ema Horvath delivers a strong performance as the curious and increasingly frightened Liberty, while Trey Tucker’s portrayal of the enigmatic John adds to the film’s eerie tension. The movie’s slow-burn approach may not appeal to all horror fans, but those who enjoy psychological thrillers with a twist will find “What Lies Below” an intriguing and chilling watch.

IMDb Rating
4.4/10