The last film of my Brooklyn Horror Fest tour was Bone Lake. I caught this film after returning home because I missed seeing it on the big screen. I went in mostly blind, only knowing it was an erotic thriller (unfortunately, my least favorite subgenre), so my expectations weren’t high. However, Bone Lake was a pleasant enough surprise. The film follows two couples double-booked at a secluded vacation rental. It felt like a good mix of Who Invited Them (2022), Barbarian (2022), and Superhost (2021) with a love story sprinkled on top. Bone Lake is worth the watch if you enjoy thrillers where interpersonal conflicts do the heavy lifting to cause tension.
Who All Going?
Diego (Marco Pigossi) and Sage (Maddie Hasson) arrive at a beautiful estate. We immediately discover they are strapped for cash, and Sage is bringing in the dollars. This is one of the two known strains on their relationships. Before they can punch in the code and enter the home, another couple pops up on the doorstep. Instead of settling this conflict with a game of rock, paper, scissors, the couples decide to stay together. I know there wouldn’t be a movie if the couple decided to continue their drive. However, it is never a good idea to stay at a double-booked vacation rental.
The other couple, Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita) are aggressively chill and extremely attractive, which ends up being another point of tension. Their interactions become progressively bizarre as we uncover Will and Cin’s true intentions. Most of the runtime is filled with Sage and Diego hiding things from each other. Meanwhile, Will and Cin constantly tempt them with flirtatious behavior. It barely feels sinister until we get closer to the third act, where the veil is completely lifted.
How Did We Get Here?
As tensions rise, Diego and Sage try to exit the vacation home but discover that Will and Cin will not allow them to leave without a fight. While the antagonists’ motives were puzzling, the battle to the end was decent. The camera work paired with the chase scenes is visually engaging. There’s also a gruesome boat death that caught me by surprise. Sage and Diego finally work together during a low point in their relationship. So, that is worth rooting for.
I thought it was ridiculous that innocent people had to suffer because of Wil and Cin’s incestuous relationship. They could have just lived carefree, considering their villain origin story. Unlike the main couple in Speak No Evil (2022), Diego and Sage want to live, and they come out on top. This is a positive ending I can support. Bone Lake is worth checking out for fans of thrillers with a layer of dark humor.
