This Raunchy New Horror Movie Actually Delivers on the Hype

by

Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s new horror film, *Bone Lake*, promises a thrilling and provocative experience. Released in theaters on October 3, 2024, the movie centers on a couple, Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi), who seek to reignite their relationship with a getaway to the remote Bone Lake. There, they encounter a wealthy and unconventional couple residing in a luxurious lakeside home.

Okay, let me tell you about *Bone Lake*. This is a really tight, four-person horror film that absolutely lives up to the hype. If you’re a serious horror fan looking for something different this Halloween, this is it. Honestly, most super-gory horror just isn’t *fun* like this is – *Bone Lake* is playful and constantly messes with what you think is going to happen. It’s devious, a little wicked, and genuinely delightful, and it totally delivers on its promise of being a seductive and psychologically thrilling ride.

‘Bone Lake’s Premise, Explained

Joshua Firedlander, author of *Suicide Blonde* and *Holly Slept Over*, presents *Bone Lake*, a story about Diego and Sage, a couple seeking a romantic escape in a remote woodland cabin. Diego has recently resigned from his teaching position to pursue writing, putting financial strain on Sage, who feels overwhelmed as the sole breadwinner. Hoping to reconnect and enjoy some intimacy, their getaway takes a terrifying turn when they discover their Airbnb rental has been double-booked.

Okay, so I just heard about this movie, and it sounds wild. It’s about Sage and Diego, who move into a place with these two incredibly attractive people, Will and Cin. They all decide to spend a weekend together at this isolated mansion, and what starts as a potentially cute getaway quickly turns…intense. Apparently, Will and Cin start pushing Sage and Diego to explore their desires and just generally let go of their inhibitions. It’s described as this really twisted, psychosexual game that leads to a sexual experience none of them are going to forget. Sounds like a rollercoaster, honestly!

As Will and Cin spend more time together, they become increasingly dishonest and controlling, exploiting Sage and Diego through a tangled web of lies and vengeful schemes. *Bone Lake* is a particularly gruesome story that doesn’t quite achieve the seductive tone it aims for, but it cleverly plays with the tropes of slasher and erotic thrillers, keeping audiences guessing until its surprising conclusion.

‘Bone Lake’ Avoids Genre Cliches


Bleecker Street

Bone Lake excels by consistently surprising the audience and defying typical horror movie expectations. It begins with a shocking act of violence that immediately introduces the antagonists, but still manages to build suspense. While the film initially seems familiar, it quickly delivers one unexpected twist after another, leaving viewers completely surprised by the end.

Initially appearing as a romantic thriller, *Bone Lake* quickly transforms into a provocative and intense story of survival. The film’s title itself is a playful, increasingly outlandish joke. Watching it feels like a blend of films like *Eden Lake*, *Barbarian*, and *The Rental*, but most strongly recalls *La Piscine* in its exploration of complex, sexually charged relationships – relationships that start with attraction but descend into shocking violence, mirroring the film’s symbolic title. *Bone Lake* is deliberately provocative, unrestrained, and clearly enjoys subverting audience expectations while steadily building suspense.

The look and feel of *Bone Lake*’s cinematography, guided by Director of Photography Nick Matthews, drew inspiration from films like Stanley Kubrick’s *A Clockwork Orange*, Sam Raimi’s *Evil Dead II*, and Michael Haneke’s *Funny Games*. Of those, *Funny Games* most closely reflects the film’s atmosphere, particularly the way characters cruelly enjoy manipulating and harming one another. By the final act, the tension is incredibly high, demonstrating the director’s skill at keeping the audience constantly anxious and on the edge of their seats.

Maddie Hasson (known from *Malignant* and *The Recruit*) delivers a compelling performance in *Bone Lake* as Sage, a character filled with hidden desires that come to the surface through intense relationships with her housemates. Just when you think you understand the story, a surprising twist changes everything, making you question what you’ve seen.

‘Bone Lake’ Feels Too Shallow at Times


Bleecker Street

Although *Bone Lake* is generally as good as people say, it’s not without flaws and could have delved deeper into some areas. Specifically, the character of Diego feels underdeveloped and is portrayed somewhat flatly. He doesn’t have a strong connection with his partner, Sage, resulting in a lackluster and ultimately unconvincing relationship. While the actor’s performance isn’t bad, the issue lies more with the writing, which doesn’t give him enough depth.

Okay, so the movie definitely delivers on the scary stuff, especially at the end! But honestly, for a little while there, it almost went too over-the-top and became unintentionally funny. It was trying to say something real about relationships – things like being open with each other and truly honest – and I worried the humor would ruin that. Luckily, the director managed to pull it back just in time. They kept the intense, shocking ending scary, and didn’t let the silliness take over. It was a close call, but they saved it!

Despite aiming for shock and sensation, the biggest problem with *Bone Lake* is that it feels surprisingly tame. While the ending does reveal a major twist, the attempts at titillation feel neither over-the-top enough to be funny nor truly scandalous. If the film had been even more extreme, it could have become a memorable cult hit. Unfortunately, a cautious approach ultimately hurts the movie, especially given how wild the story becomes in its final moments.

Even though it doesn’t fully explore its darker themes, *Bone Lake* mostly succeeds as a thrilling and bloody erotic horror film. The film’s creepy atmosphere draws you in, the characters are interesting, the story keeps you guessing, and the suspense builds to a shocking and memorable finale. Overall, *Bone Lake* has more strengths than weaknesses, making it a good choice for a Halloween watch.

Read More

2025-10-12 01:09