The Rewatchables: 'What Lies Beneath’

With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Mallory Rubin
Date: January 14, 2026
Podcast: The Rewatchables – The Ringer

Episode Overview

This episode of The Rewatchables delves into the 2000 supernatural thriller What Lies Beneath, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford. The panel—Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Mallory Rubin (plus Craig in a producer/guest role)—reflect on the film’s legacy as a “family horror” hybrid, its blending of genres, and its place in the careers of its two iconic leads. The group discusses the film’s twists, direction by Robert Zemeckis, the vintage appeal of its cast, and the lasting appeal—and flaws—of its suspenseful storytelling.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

Casting Chemistry and Star Power

• Ford & Pfeiffer’s On-Screen Dynamic
  • Mallory Rubin gushes about Ford: “He is the most precious thing to me and to so many. But why not both? That's the great joy of the film, is getting to watch Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer whisper into each other's ears, tickle some chest hair.” (03:26)
  • Bill Simmons: “Chemistry wise, I thought like a nine and a half out of ten. Ten out of ten.” (15:15)
• Is Pfeiffer’s Career Underrated or Mismanaged?
  • Bill jokes about Michelle Pfeiffer suffering from a “broken picker” in choosing scripts: “I thought she had a little bit of a script. Broken picker.” (04:18)
• This Movie as a Late-Prime Capstone
  • Bill: “This was the end of his [Ford's] extended 25-year prime, this movie.” (17:18)

Genre Blending: Erotic Thriller, Ghost Story, and “Family Horror”

• Chris Ryan: “It transitions a little bit from the from hell erotic thriller 90s into the high concept 2000s...I think it's way more of a haunted house ghost story than it is a erotic thriller.” (05:08)
• Bill: “I wrote down the ultimate family horror movie along the lines of like a poltergeist.” (05:33)
• Mallory: “The genre meld makes it palatable to people who are a little bit horror averse because the supernatural element is very prominent. The... domestic thriller aspect...spares it from being too scary.” (06:02)

The Power (and Pitfalls) of the Twist

• The group laments the film’s famously spoiler-heavy trailer:
  • Mallory: “One thing we should talk about...is how the trailer basically completely gives away the movie, which is number one [for] What Stage the Worst.” (08:19)
  • Bill: “The trailer fucking killed it. It was like, oh, it's evil Harrison Ford. He's the killer.” (08:43)
  • Chris: “This comes out at the tail end of an era in Hollywood movies where people were pretty good about more or less keeping twists a secret.” (09:12)

Harrison Ford "Against Type" as the Villain

• The panel loves the subversion of Ford’s usual hero image:
  • Chris: “He does a lot of...subtle tips towards his evil throughout the film. So, like his obsession with his dad, his muttering, his obsession with this big paper he's presenting. I like all that stuff. And then his heel turn at the end, especially the bathtub scene, the bathroom scene is really great.” (19:50)
  • Bill: “This is kind of a move. It's like the last thing I haven't done is gone heel.” (17:51)
• Subtle filmmaking clues:
  • Mallory: “His hand reaching around a throat is hand acting...The bloody hands on the tub edge in particular.” (20:23)

Directorial Choices: Zemeckis' Craft

• The group debates whether Zemeckis was the right director and imagines alternate scenarios:
  • Chris: “Zemeckis, like, is a master technician. He's an amazing filmmaker, but...there are guys out there that would have gone further than the red apple and the red dress. Just put it that way.” (06:44)
  • Recurring visual motifs, especially the 'ghost POV' camera:
    • Chris: “Zemeckis is constantly subtly moving the camera so that it feels like you are watching Michelle Pfeiffer from a ghost POV.” (48:28)

The House as a Character

• The Vermont lake house gets extended attention as both a location and plot device:
  • “A fucking awesome house. Can't wait to talk about that.” (07:59)
  • Amanda Dobbins Real Estate Award: “Addison, Vermont. Banks of Lake Champlain…they made five different bathrooms for the shoot.” (47:17)

Nostalgia and the "2000s-ness"

• The panel highlights period-specific markers:
  • “Slow modem speeds and not having a cell phone camera as proof for your suspicions on something.”_ (47:03)
  • Landlines, redial, and cell phones not working around the lake.

Notable/Funny Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pfeiffer and Ford:
  • Mallory: “There's not a scenario where I wouldn't want to fuck Harrison Ford. You can't present me with one. Sorry.” (19:17)
• On the Genre Mix:
  • Bill: “It's spooky, it's creepy, it's uncomfortable, but it's not like scary scary.” (05:56)
• On Trailers Ruining Movies:
  • Chris: “Don't be a coward, Bob [Zemeckis].” (09:10)
• Red Herrings Galore:
  • Mallory on James Remar as the neighbor/“that guy”: “I've just...I almost don't want to spoil it. I don't want to say anything to him....I think is the best action movie villain of all time.” (23:19)
• On Movie Star Filmographies as Desert Island Picks:
  • Bill: “You only get the one person's filmography. Who you taking?” (21:44)
  • Mallory: “There's no way I'm not picking Harrison Ford because Witness is one of my favorites. And then I get Star wars and Indy, like and Blade Runner. Come on.” (21:49)
• On Dogs in Horror:
  • Bill: “When dogs know something is wrong, evil or off in some way. Always gets me in a movie. The dogs always know. They always know.” (52:12)
• On the "Possessed Claire" Scene:
  • Bill: “Pfeiffer just. Just breaking it out. You know, it's like spreading. I'll throw low 90s. But if you don't think I can still get to 101, watch this.” (41:52)
  • Mallory: “When she sits on the step...and opens her legs. I mean, come on. His expression there is absolutely priceless.” (42:37)
• On Ford’s Unbelievable Physique:
  • Bill: “Guy's fucking 57 and looks like he's about to play the Niners in the NFC title game.” (54:32)
  • Mallory: “It always makes sense to me. He was Indiana Jones. I don't know what to say.” (56:20)
• On the Weakest Link:
  • Chris: “They left a little bit on the table with Jody. I think she could have been a little witchier. And I think if you get me Laura Sangiacomo or Linda Fiorentino...” (61:28)
• On Technology:
  • Mallory: “Redial on a landline to see if somebody called before.” (47:06)
• On the Film’s Slow First Act:
  • Craig: “The first hour is definitely a little slow. I have to imagine with the rewatch, even knowing what's coming probably feels like it takes quite a while to get there...She's looking through the binoculars three more times than she probably needs to.” (30:39)

Segment Timestamps

• 02:32 – The film’s arrival on Netflix and panel’s personal connections.
• 03:26–07:39 – Casting analysis; the Ford-Pfeiffer fantasy; 2000s movie stardom.
• 08:19–09:34 – Spoiler-heavy trailers and the era of twist movies.
• 12:49–16:23 – Michelle Pfeiffer’s career, style, and “toe dexterity”; Chemistry with Ford.
• 17:18–19:29 – Ford’s long ‘prime’ and career turn.
• 19:50–20:55 – Evil Ford: subtle hints, “hand acting.”
• 23:26–24:41 – James Remar and “that guy” actors.
• 24:47–25:03 – Zemeckis filming this during the Cast Away hiatus.
• 27:00–29:09 – Ghosts, Vermont as a setting, and Bill’s haunted house stories.
• 30:29–31:45 – The “Horlbeck Century Club” and runtime bloat.
• 32:41–33:10 – Best setting for a rewatch: safe, scary, family-friendly.
• 35:45 – Sex scenes and “possessed Claire”: Most rewatchable moments.
• 41:48–43:29 – Discussion of the iconic “Possessed Claire” seduction.
• 47:17–48:00 – The Real Estate Award: The lake house and its bathrooms.
• 50:01–50:59 – Symbolism: pendant, jewelry box, the “Sleeping Dog” shop, Celtic knots.
• 54:32–56:12 – The Dr. Richard Kimball Inappropriate Body Award: Ford’s physique and age.
• 57:41–58:52 – The sex scene discourse, “what Norman really wants.”
• 66:05 – Harrison Ford’s “one time” defense: “...young woman finds me attractive. Like this has never happened.”
• 67:04 – GIFable moments: Norman’s horror when the corpse is revealed.
• 73:18 – Recasting couch: alternate directors—De Palma, Fincher, Adrian Lyne.
• 75:14–76:02 – Michelle Pfeiffer’s fear of water and bathtub filming.
• 90:07–91:00 – Oscar picks: Pfeiffer, Zemeckis, Don Burgess (cinematography).
• 95:00–96:02 – Memorabilia picks: Bill’s friend as the dead husband photo.

Key Takeaways & Final Judgments

• What Works

  • The star pairing of Pfeiffer and Ford—the film’s main enduring draw; their chemistry is palpable and anchors the story.
  • Strong direction and technical craft; Zemeckis’ use of ghost-PoV camera and attention to eerie domestic detail.
  • The film’s genre hybrid feels fresh: not truly an erotic thriller, but a “safe scary” ghost story with marital suspense.
  • The use of red herrings and unreliable perspectives draws in first-time viewers, especially those unspoiled by the trailer.

• What Doesn’t

  • The trailer’s twist spoilage greatly reduces tension for new viewers.
  • The script’s over-reliance on red herrings and some logic gaps, especially around the logistics of the crime and Madison’s ghostly activities.
  • Some roles—like Jody—feel weak or underwritten for the talent involved.
  • Pacing: The first act is notably slow and could be trimmed for modern viewers.

• Legacy & Rewatchability

  • Still a solid “throw-it-on” movie; its blend of genres and top-tier casting make it a fun rewatch—even if it’s not the best or most iconic film for either star.
  • The lake house and its interiors linger in memory (“movie house goals”).
  • The film unintentionally predicts how difficult it’s become in the streaming era to make B-movies with A-list stars—today, What Lies Beneath feels like a relic in a good way.

Panel Consensus: Who Won the Movie?

• Michelle Pfeiffer—unanimous agreement. She steals the film with a committed and layered psychological performance—and looks spectacular doing it.

Select Notable Quotes (with Timestamps, Speaker Attribution)

• “[On Ford] He is the most precious thing to me and to so many. But why not both? That's the great joy of the film...”
  — Mallory Rubin (03:26)

• “This is the end of his extended 25-year prime, this movie.”
  — Bill Simmons (17:18)

• “It's also...the ultimate family horror movie along the lines of like a poltergeist.”
  — Bill Simmons (05:33)

• “Don't be a coward, Bob [Zemeckis].”
  — Chris Ryan (09:10)

• “There's not a scenario where I wouldn't want to fuck Harrison Ford. You can't go nose blind. You can't present me with one. Sorry.”
  — Mallory Rubin (19:17)

• “Pfeiffer just...breaking it out...[If] you don't think I can get to 101, watch this.”
  — Bill Simmons (41:52)

• “When dogs know something is wrong, evil or off in some way. Always gets me in a movie. The dogs always know.”
  — Bill Simmons (52:12)

• “Guy's fucking 57 and looks like he's about to play the Niners in the NFC title game.”
  — Bill Simmons (54:32)

In Conclusion

The panel celebrates What Lies Beneath as a sturdy, well-crafted supernatural thriller that showcases the mega-watt charisma of its leads, even if its script and pacing occasionally trip over themselves. While not at the apex for either star or its director, it's agreed to be an enjoyable, rewatchable slice of vintage Hollywood genre filmmaking—a rare beast in today’s landscape. Michelle Pfeiffer is the MVP, but everyone has a lot of fun debating 'what ifs', picking nits, and celebrating a film that still haunts (and entertains) 25 years on.

For specific scenes, deeper nitpicks, and all the movie-nerd categories (Best That Guy, Dion Waiters Award, etc.), refer to the episode’s timestamped discussions above!