What Lies Beneath 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of What Lies Beneath, courtesy of Scream Factory, represents a substantial upgrade over all prior home video presentations. The new 4K scan, sourced from the original 35mm negative and approved by cinematographer Don Burgess, is presented in 2.39:1 with Dolby Vision HDR10 compatibility on a BD-100 disc. The encoding utilizes HEVC/H.265, with a notably robust mean video bitrate of 84.4 Mbps and overall disc bitrate around 93.3 Mbps. Grain structure is tasteful and authentically filmic, retaining the deliberate, slightly muted color palette and shadowy aesthetic that defines the film's visual identity. Most scenes exhibit subdued blues and greys, which the transfer reproduces with accuracy; occasional bursts of red or orange offer genuine saturation and pop.

Clarity and detail receive a significant boost, with black levels achieving true depth for the first time in the film’s home video history—previous issues of crushing and pixellation are resolved. The image is generally sharp, especially in interior scenes, where elevated resolution and enhanced dynamic range from Dolby Vision deliver a pronounced improvement over previous Blu-ray and DVD releases. Integrated effects shots, including challenging CGI from the era, are well-blended into the anamorphic frame, though minimal softness may appear in select CGI sequences due to inherent limitations of the original effects work.

Skin tones see a marked correction—ruddy or pinkish tints from older transfers are replaced with natural and neutral hues, contributing to a convincing presentation. The picture remains clean throughout: dust specks, black-and-white artifacts, and ghosting prevalent on earlier SD transfers are absent here. HDR highlights are especially effective in both day and night exteriors, rendering sunlit lawns, flower gardens, and interior lighting with vibrancy and realism. Overall, this transfer delivers a filmic image that strikes an impressive balance between source authenticity and modern clarity.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray audio presentation of "What Lies Beneath" is offered with both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround (24-bit, 4130 kbps) and a DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo downmix (24-bit, 1560 kbps). The DTS-HD MA 5.1 track brings noticeable improvements over earlier formats, particularly compared to Paramount’s previous Dolby TrueHD 5.1 release. Dialogue is generally clear and intelligible, with subtle improvements in warmth and fidelity, though in select scenes the spoken word can sit on the quieter side—occasionally warranting a minor volume increase for optimal clarity.

The soundscape is initially front-oriented, yet activates the surrounds effectively during weather-driven sequences such as thunder, rainfall, and water effects. Ambience—including lakeside sounds, bugs, birds, and flowing water—is reproduced with clarity, adding immersion without overwhelming the mix. Alan Silvestri’s score benefits from dynamic separation and elevated bass—which extends admirably both for music and for the film’s impactful jump scares. As tension escalates in later scenes, surround activity increases appropriately, utilizing the full array for a well-rounded but not overbearing environmental effect.

The presentation manages low-frequency extension with authority, allowing impactful moments to resonate without muddying dialogue or subtle effects. Subtitles are available in English SDH; however, some minor dialogue is omitted or transcribed incorrectly. Overall, the audio is technically robust and well-balanced—delivering clean dialogue, nuanced ambience, and powerful dynamics that enhance the film’s suspenseful atmosphere.

The extras package for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "What Lies Beneath" is anchored by a newly produced, feature-length retrospective documentary that comprehensively chronicles the film’s production. This documentary stands out for featuring new, in-depth interviews with key creatives, from director Robert Zemeckis and core production team members to cast and technical crew, covering everything from script development and set design to visual effects and music. The edition also ports over archival materials, including the vintage audio commentary with Zemeckis and producers, which discusses all aspects of the production albeit with occasional gaps, and a legacy featurette that explores both the film’s making and Zemeckis’s broader career. The original theatrical trailer is included, albeit unrestored and with significant plot spoilers. While not exhaustive compared to some releases, the thoughtful curation and addition of the documentary deliver substantial behind-the-scenes insight.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary With Director Robert Zemeckis: Archival commentary with the director and producers discussing the film’s production.
• You Know: Uncovering What Lies Beneath: Newly produced, feature-length documentary featuring extensive interviews with cast and crew.
• Constructing A Thriller: Archival featurette blending insights on "What Lies Beneath" with an overview of Zemeckis’s career until 2000.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer (with spoilers, non-restored presentation).

Robert Zemeckis’s “What Lies Beneath” stands as a carefully-crafted supernatural thriller, skillfully blending psychological tension with a sense of domestic unease. The story is anchored by Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Norman (Harrison Ford), whose comfortable Vermont lake house becomes ground zero for inexplicable events—doors open on their own, mysterious apparitions appear, and discomfiting voices linger. Pfeiffer’s performance masterfully navigates Claire’s escalating paranoia, grief, and anxiety, shifting convincingly from vulnerable to resolute as she unravels a buried past. Ford provides a restrained yet nuanced counterbalance as the skeptical husband, further intensifying the narrative’s ambiguity.

Zemeckis imbues the film with deliberate pacing, building tension in a manner reminiscent of classic Alfred Hitchcock. Echoes of the Master of Suspense are evident in the brooding cinematography, calculated camera angles, moody set pieces, and especially Alan Silvestri’s score, which pays clear homage to Bernard Herrmann’s iconic work. The plot veers through plausible misdirection—especially with the neighborly subplot—before tightening focus on Claire’s psychological journey and the film’s core mystery. A séance, Ouija board interlude, and recurring spectral clues provide intermittent shocks but always serve the slow-burn build to a genuinely surprising climax.

“What Lies Beneath” differentiates itself from typical supernatural fare by sustaining its suspense with class and narrative restraint. The story rewards patient viewers, steadily enveloping them in layers of dread and revelation. The film ultimately proves just as effective on revisiting, with its Hitchcockian homages, rich performances, and persistent sense of unease ensuring it holds up as an engaging and sophisticated entry in the psychological thriller genre.

Scream Factory’s 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of What Lies Beneath offers a visually impressive upgrade, with a transfer that preserves the film’s deliberately gray and dark aesthetic. The image maintains strong fidelity, matching the original cinematic atmosphere. The primary audio track, presented in DTS-HD MA 5.1 at a maxed-out bitrate, delivers dynamic range with clarity, emphasizing both the subtle creaks of the film’s isolated house setting and the bursts of Alan Silvestri’s orchestral score. While some of the musical cues mimic Bernard Herrmann’s classic suspenseful flourishes—at the director’s insistence—the score is most effective in more restrained, mysterious passages.

As a film, What Lies Beneath remains a well-made psychological thriller marked by its slow-burn suspense and Hitchcockian homage. Robert Zemeckis’s direction leans heavily into genre conventions, resulting in a polished experience that sometimes borders on over-stylization but nonetheless keeps viewers engaged. Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford deliver strong performances, anchoring the narrative with emotional intensity and ambiguity. The disc also includes a standout retrospective documentary that provides valuable context and will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Overall, this 4K UHD presentation is an excellent way to revisit What Lies Beneath or experience it for the first time. The technical improvements and bonus features demonstrate respect for both the film’s craft and legacy, making this edition a worthy addition to any thriller enthusiast’s collection.