Bone Lake- Fantastic Fest 2024
September 19th, 2024
MOVIE: BONE LAKE
STARRING: MARCO PIGOSSI, MADDIE HASSON, ALEX ROE, ANDRA NECHITA
DIRECTED BY: MERCEDES BRYCE MORGAN
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: R
RUN TIME: 94 MINUTES
Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut may not be categorized as a horror film, but for anyone who has been married or faced relationship struggles, it’s undeniably haunting. Marital strife is complex and can be terrifying, making it a fitting theme for the horror genre. In Bone Lake, directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, this theme is approached with edge and attitude.
The story follows Diego (Marco Pigossi) and Sage (Maddie Hasson), a couple not yet engaged but already facing rocky moments in their relationship. They book an Airbnb at a luxurious mansion by the titular lake, hoping for a perfect getaway. However, their plans take a turn when a second couple, Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita), shows up, revealing that the home has been double-booked. Instead of leaving, the two couples decide to make the best of it, sharing the space and getting to know each other—until their lighthearted fun morphs into a game of sexual manipulation, transforming their relaxing getaway into a true test of their relationship. Bone Lake is steamy and twisted in all the right ways.
Diego, a former teacher turned aspiring novelist, adds extra pressure to their dynamic. Sage, a journalist, is now their primary financial supporter and their weekend retreat is meant to revitalize their connection, especially as Diego plans to propose. When they meet Will and Cin, a more adventurous couple, it seems like the excitement might be just what they need to escape their rut.
What works so well in Bone Lake is not just the intriguing setup that keeps viewers engaged, but also the palpable discomfort that Morgan and screenwriter Joshua Friedlander craft from the very first frame. What begins as friendly banter—sharing drinks and sitting by the lake—quickly escalates. Diego reveals details about Sage’s past affair, flirtatious comments fly from Will, and the discovery of a locked room that serves as a sex-play den raises the stakes. Will they give in to their desires, or can they survive the weekend intact? While some moments feel restrained in terms of sex and violence—a minor flaw—the thrilling third act delivers a satisfying payoff, evoking recent films like Ready or Not, Barbarian, and the discomfort found in Speak No Evil.
At the helm is Morgan’s excellent direction, which combines sharp, creative editing with unexpected musical choices that enhance the experience. It’s clear that the cast is enjoying themselves, particularly Alex Roe, whose devilish good looks and icy stare suggest he could follow in James McAvoy’s footsteps. Bone Lake is a wicked exploration of dark temptations and tests the strength of any relationship. It’s simply bad to the bone.
3 STARS
BONE LAKE HAD ITS PREMIERE SATURDAY AT FANTASTIC FEST 2024.
Written by: Leo Brady
