The Wasteland Reviewer

Bone Lake (2025) Written Review

A couple of different ideas fly through your head when you read the title of this film, right? You could have a lake literally full of bones. True. You could also have a film center on sex and be set at a lake. Also, true. This new, darkly funny, erotic, horror/thriller is quite an experience coming to theaters for this Halloween season. Bone Lake has that (now) classic cliché of a double-booked Airbnb that just so happens to be a giant mansion on a secluded estate. Nothing could possibly happen bad here, right? You have a pair of couples who are certainly different. Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi) are a long-term couple in a bit of a shaky point which this getaway should (hopefully) help. But their whole vacation is thrown for a loop by the mysterious and quite horny couple of Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita) who are going to turn this getaway quite nightmarish. 

How does director Mercedes Bryce Morgan navigate this wild story? Bone Lake feels like a combination of two types of stories except there is a good consistency of dark humor that pulls them both together. The first half of the film is a compelling and challenging exploration of relationships through the lens of an erotic thriller. There are some strong moments that are poignant and build empathy for the couple of Sage and Diego. Then you have plenty of awkward and horny exchanges that keep things a little funnier and a bit darker as well. Then the film gives way to a wild, bloody, slasher flick that is loads of fun (with the actors matching the unhinged energy). Morgan does a great job of keeping the tone where it is and within pulling off some of the taboo elements of the story (well…maybe except for one). There are a few filmmaking elements that give the film some extra personality. There are some fun tilts when the characters are smashing locks or the camera flying through a chess set which are little details, but they make the film stand out more. 

Does the writing for Bone Lake match all that chaotic energy from behind the camera? Like mentioned before, the structure of the film is quite interesting with its erotic thriller turned slashed presentation. The central relationship is layered and has enough elements of conflict to both get the audience invested and to also feel the tension throughout the film. Many of the “twists” of the film are obvious but they at least have a level of entertainment that makes them still engaging. The motivation for the antagonists of the film is quite provocative and “makes sense” in their position but this revelation might be a tricky one to process for sure. The story is well paced and structured with the layers being pulled back in an effective way. The film even has some compelling things to say about relationships, especially regarding communication, intimacy, and trust. Overall, this is certainly a wild ride with plenty of uncomfortably funny banter that will keep the laughs going. 

How much does the cast contribute to this thrilling experience? There are not big names in Bone Lake but big praise should go to the casting director for finding the right actors for the right fit. Hasson has such a great presence as a woman who knows what she wants and will step up for it. But she is also able to find some vulnerability and discomfort in Sage who struggles to hurt the feelings of her partner throughout this endeavor. Pigossi is probably the least interesting and showy of the performers, but his empathy is strong and that investment is key to following Diego along this journey. The biggest performance for sure is Roe whose portrayal of Will injects the right amount of douchey demeanor and attitude. Big, obnoxious, and shameless, Roe’s performance is certainly the most fun to watch. Nechita delivers the right amount of sexy and seductive to sell her alluring character through the film (even when it gets a bit sicker and twisted). 

Is Bone Lake a fun ride for the Halloween season? Bone Lake might not be the biggest splash for horror in October, but it is certainly a fun ride with some effective themes about relationships. The cast certainly delivers, and the filmmaking is injected with some fun bits of flare as well. The two sides of Bone Lake come together well and deliver a fun, twisted, and entertaining cinematic experience.