I recently sat through “What Lies Below,” and I can confidently say that I’ve found the real mystery the title alludes to: how this film made it past the drawing board. If you’ve ever wanted a masterclass in convoluted storytelling, cringe-worthy character decisions, and the art of unintentional comedy in a thriller, buckle up!
From the start, let’s talk about its ambition. This film aimed for “The Shape of Water” meets “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” but sadly, landed somewhere between a Syfy channel reject and the fevered dream of someone who consumed too much discount sushi. The plot twists more than a corkscrew and leaves one feeling just as dizzy and confused.
Our protagonist, Liberty, returns home from camp to find her mom dating the human equivalent of a Ken doll named John, if Ken practiced aquatic biology and had the personality of wet cardboard. Honestly, this man spends more time in water than a goldfish, which should have been the first clue that something was fishy (pun intended). But no, our heroine is enamored by his chiseled abs and apparent passion for freshwater life, as any teenager would be when faced with a stepdad prospect who looks like he stepped off a romance novel cover.
Now, a significant portion of this movie could have been avoided with a simple Google search. If your mother’s boyfriend is acting bizarre, maybe, just maybe, it’s a good idea to look him up. But no, in the grand tradition of horror and thriller protagonists, Liberty takes the scenic route to discovery, filled with awkward encounters and decisions that would make a lemming question her survival instincts.
But let’s dive deeper into the swampy waters of this plot. We’re presented with weird fish, stranger science experiments, and the ever-present question: Why is John always wet? Seriously, the man’s affinity for water rivals that of any hydration-obsessed influencer. If he were any more submerged, he’d be a mermaid.
Now, onto the film’s attempt at sensuality. There are moments in this movie that try so hard to be steamy they fog up in their own awkwardness. It’s like watching two robots try to reenact scenes from a telenovela, filled with glaring looks and weird pauses that would make even soap opera actors say, “Isn’t that a bit much?”
The cinematography deserves a nod – not because it’s particularly groundbreaking, but because it seems to be the only aspect of the film that’s trying to keep the ship afloat. It gives us beautiful shots of watery landscapes and intricate close-ups of the many, MANY fish. Honestly, if I had a dime for every fish close-up, I could finance a better movie.
By the time we wade through the murky plot to reach the climax, it feels less like a revelation and more like finally reaching the surface after being submerged in a pool of confusion. The ending, much like the rest of the movie, is both baffling and hilarious. Without giving away spoilers, let’s just say it gives a whole new meaning to “sleeping with the fishes.”
“What Lies Below” is a cinematic experience akin to tripping over your own feet and tumbling down a rabbit hole filled with water, fish, and baffling character choices. If you ever wanted to yell “Why?!” at your screen or laugh at moments that are supposed to be tense, this is the movie for you. Grab your snorkels and dive into this ocean of absurdity – just don’t say I didn’t warn you.