Review of What Lies Below (2020) by Ashcesca — 07 Dec 2020

Well, if their intent was to make ever inch of my body contort with creepiness vibes — they were successful! The horror component of this film is definitely more the psychological, instead of the jump-scares. It taps into those primal fears that most of us ladies don’t like to think about, being sexually targeted by a man we are suppose to be able to trust. He’s like the male version of a siren, so beautiful and is leading us to our death.

(Spoiler alert) That shower scene was probably one of the most uncomfortable scenes I’ve EVER witnessed in a film, which was preceded by a scene on a boat that I —omgeee —I don’t even want to think about. I audibly gasped. Umm, John licks something, that I’ve NEVER seen in cinema.

Then there’s that ending. WHAT?! That’s all I get? What happens? I. Need. More. I then went looking for answers, and I read this Q&A with the director. He said , “the final scene was one of the earliest shots in my head. For me it answers the who, what, where, and why of our mystery. Part of the why, for instance, is distinguished by a physical trait shared by all the subjects in the shot.” Then I watched the film again — and this movie is really nuanced. Once you see that detail and a few others you finally get what John is doing, and where Libby is headed. I’ll let you see it for yourself. Overall, great acting and a visually beautiful film.