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What Lies Below

"What Lies Below" is a 2020 American horror film written and directed by Braden R.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"What Lies Below" is a 2020 American horror film written and directed by Braden R. Duemmler. It stars Ema Horvath, Mena Suvari, and Trey Tucker. The story follows a teenager who returns home and suspects her mother’s new boyfriend is not human.

Plot

The film follows Liberty Wells, a 16-year-old who returns from camp and meets her mother’s new fiancé, John Smith. As Liberty becomes uneasy about him, she uncovers disturbing secrets beneath his charming exterior.

Cast

The main cast features Ema Horvath as Liberty Wells, Mena Suvari as Michelle Wells, and Trey Tucker as John Smith. Supporting cast listed in secondary databases includes Haskiri Velazquez and others.

Production and release

Braden R. Duemmler is credited as both writer and director. The film was released in the United States in December 2020 and became available on digital platforms around that time.

Reception

Coverage of the film described it as a sci-fi or horror-thriller with an unusual premise. Reviews noted its low-budget, strange, and often dour tone.

Key facts

  • "What Lies Below" is an American horror film released in 2020.
  • Braden R. Duemmler wrote and directed the film.
  • The cast includes Ema Horvath, Mena Suvari, and Trey Tucker.
  • The story centres on a teenage girl who suspects her mother’s new boyfriend is not human.
  • The film runs 87 minutes and was released on digital platforms in December 2020.

Frequently asked questions

What is "What Lies Below"?
It is a 2020 American horror film written and directed by Braden R. Duemmler.
Who stars in the film?
The film stars Ema Horvath, Mena Suvari, and Trey Tucker.
What is the film about?
It follows a teenage girl who returns home and suspects her mother’s new boyfriend is not human.
How long is the film?
It has a runtime of 87 minutes.
When was it released?
It was released in 2020, with digital release in December 2020.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Lies_Below_(film)
    Supports: Identifies the film as a 2020 American horror film written and directed by Braden R. Duemmler and starring Ema Horvath, Mena Suvari, and Trey Tucker.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9264728/
    Supports: Provides runtime, release date, country of origin, genre, and plot premise.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/what_lies_below_2020
    Supports: Lists director, writer, producers, runtime, genre, language, and release date information.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/what-lies-below-movie-review-2020
    Supports: Summarizes the film’s premise and identifies key characters and cast.