A couple’s vacation at a secluded estate is upended when they’re forced to share the mansion with a mysterious couple. A dream getaway spirals into a nightmarish maze of sex, lies, and manipulation, triggering a battle for survival. A film by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, starring Alex Roe, Maddie Hasson, Marco Pigossi, and Andra Nechita.
BONE LAKE
Mercedes Bryce Morgan
(2025)
In the woods, two naked figures run for their lives, hands clasped together as unseen assailants chase them down. When an arrow strikes a tree beside them, Brett (Clayton Spencer) and his girlfriend Lisa (Eliane Reis) exchange a terrified glance.
Suddenly, Brett yanks his hand free and sprints away, leaving her behind. Confused and panicked, Lisa races after him. Moments later, an arrow from a crossbow pierces Brett’s back. He stumbles but tries to keep moving. Lisa runs past him, frantically scanning the woods, but no one’s there. She keeps glancing back at Brett until she trips over a tree root and falls forward, impaling herself on a fallen tree trunk.
Both are killed, and their bodies are later arranged for a photoshoot that recreates Alexandre Cabanel’s painting “Mort de Francesca de Rimini et de Paolo Malatesta.”
“Mort de Francesca de Rimini et de Paolo Malatesta” is an 1870 painting by French painter Alexandre Cabanel, depicting the tragic death of the lovers Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta. The scene is based on a mid-thirteenth century incident in Rimini, Italy, famously recounted by Dante in Canto V of The Divine Comedy. Francesca was married off by her father to Lanciotto Malatesta but fell in love with Lanciotto’s brother Paolo. Upon discovering their affair and their first kiss, Lanciotto killed them both. Francesca is shown dropping a book, a reminder they were reading a story of courtly love at the time of their murder, while Lanciotto appears hidden behind a curtain holding a bloody sword. The original painting was acquired by Musée d’Orsay in 2004 and is housed there.
On the drive to their vacation destination, Diego (Marco Pigossi) pitches his novel’s plot to his girlfriend Sage (Maddie Hasson), who’s behind the wheel. He asks what she thinks. Sage hesitates, clearly reluctant to give her honest opinion and risk hurting his feelings.
Diego picks up on her hesitation and insists she tell him what’s wrong with the story, but Sage continues to dodge the question. Frustrated, Diego concludes that she thinks he’s not cut out to be a novelist and should go back to teaching at the community college. Sage quickly reassures him not to give up, insisting she supports him no matter what. Since Diego quit his full-time teaching job to pursue his dream of becoming a novelist, Sage will be the one supporting them both financially.
Upon arriving at the lakeside estate they’ve rented for the weekend, Diego discreetly pulls an engagement ring box from his bag and hides it in the car’s glove compartment, planning to propose to Sage. After settling in, the two have sex, though Sage fakes her orgasm.
Shortly after, they hear the sound of a car engine approaching. They quickly get up and rush to the front door, only to find another couple, Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita), entering the house using the door code. Will and Cin are equally stunned, initially assuming that Diego and Sage are the hosts who haven’t left yet.
They soon realize the house has been double-booked for the same weekend. Unable to reach the rental company or the owner to sort things out, Will suggests they play rock, paper, scissors to decide who stays. Cin interrupts and suggests they find a more mature solution, since they both have valid reservations and door codes, and will obviously get refunds for this screwup. When Will seems reluctant to share the house with total strangers, Cin points out that even if they drive around looking for a hotel, nothing will be as beautiful as this lakeside estate, and they’ll still be surrounded by strangers anyway.
Cin proposes to Sage and Diego that they at least try staying together, since the alternatives aren’t great. She mentions that Will is an amazing chef and they’ve brought plenty of food and alcohol. She suggests that if anyone feels uncomfortable at any point, Will and Diego can settle it with rock, paper, scissors. Winner stays, loser goes. Sage and Diego agree.
Later, Will shares the history of Bone Lake. Back in the 1950s, a wealthy family bought up all the land in the area. When they discovered the lake, they found dozens of human skeletons scattered all over the beach. One theory is that there was a serial killer who disposed of victims’ bodies in the lake, and after a storm, they all washed ashore.
In the afternoon, Will catches Diego checking the glove compartment for the ring box. Diego admits he’s planning to propose by the lake. Will tells him to just give them a heads-up, and he and Cin will disappear for a while. That evening, Cin mentions she has a client named Edmund Kerns who might be able to help him. Diego’s eyes light up. Edmund is his favorite author. Cin offers to get Edmund to read some of Diego’s work.
The next day, Will asks if Sage and Diego would like to play games. Sage replies that she enjoys games, but Diego never plays anything with more rules than rock, paper, scissors. Unable to convince him to join them, Will instead persuades everyone to break into the locked doors at the end of the hallway to see what is inside. The crucial rule is that they must access the rooms without anyone ever knowing. Will repeatedly taps the side of the lock with a meat tenderizer he found in the kitchen, causing the tumblers to fall into place. This allows them to gain access to the first locked room, which is revealed to be a sex dungeon filled with various toys and a sex swing.
Shortly after, they break into a second locked room that gives off a ritualistic vibe. An Ouija board sits on the floor, surrounded by candlesticks. On the wall, they find news clippings and articles from 15 years ago about Manhattan businessman Robert Price and his wife Marilyn Price, who vanished at Bone Lake and are presumed dead. Sage and Cin grow uncomfortable and want to leave. Back in the hallway, Will asks if they want to check out the last locked room. Diego objects, insisting they should lock everything back up and pretend they were never in there. Everyone agrees.
During brunch the following day, Will surprises everyone by getting down on one knee and proposing to Cin at the dining table. Everyone looks thrilled except Diego, who sits there in shock. Will hasn’t just ruined his plan to propose to Sage. He’s also stolen Diego’s heirloom ring and is now giving it to Cin as though it’s his own. With Sage and Cin both caught up in the emotional moment, Diego decides to stay silent rather than call Will out in front of everyone.
Frustrated, Diego pulls Will outside and confronts him about what just happened. When Will tries to explain, Diego cuts him off and demands he go back inside and tell Cin the truth. Will suddenly breaks down, admitting he’s desperate and scared of losing Cin. Diego isn’t sympathetic. Will then reveals that Cin has been cheating on him, and when he saw Diego’s ring, he saw an opportunity to save his crumbling relationship. Diego opens up about how Sage slept with her ex a few months into their relationship, and how crushed he was when she told him.
This scene feels somewhat forced, as the dialogue exists primarily to move the plot forward. It’s unnatural for someone to share such personal relationship details with a complete stranger.
Diego still insists it doesn’t justify stealing his ring. Will promises to return it before the weekend ends, but Diego isn’t willing to wait. Then Will mentions the offer about getting Edmund Kerns to read Diego’s work through Cin. That finally convinces Diego to go along with it.
Meanwhile, Sage and Cin realize they need more food if they’re going to stay the full weekend. Sage offers to pitch in since Will and Cin have been sharing their groceries. When Will and Diego come back inside, Cin tells Will she’s going to drive Sage to that little general store they passed on the way here. Will suggests he take Sage instead, mentioning he needs to fill up the car anyway. When Diego says he’ll come along too, Cin cuts in and insists he should stay to keep her company. Sage agrees that Diego doesn’t have to come.
After Sage and Will leave, Cin attempts to seduce Diego. While driving, Will tells Sage that Cin confided in him about something that happened between her and Diego. He claims Diego told Cin that Sage had an affair early in their relationship and that Sage owes him one. Shortly after, Will pulls the car over to the side of the road and makes a move on Sage.
Directed by American filmmaker Mercedes Bryce Morgan from a screenplay by Joshua Friedlander, BONE LAKE is an entertaining psychological thriller film. While its narrative is somewhat predictable and the pacing lags at times, the overall experience is rewarding.
The cast delivers wonderful and solid performances, with Alex Roe and Maddie Hasson being particular standouts. The dialogue is cleverly written, and the main protagonists are thoughtfully developed. Their reactions and decisions feel genuinely intelligent, unlike the typical horror movie characters who make baffling choices.
The film does feel a bit sluggish in the middle section, which makes the 90-minute runtime seem longer than it is. We have to wait for the real action, which kicks off around the one-hour mark when the couple finally realizes the truth. However, the last fifteen minutes are highly satisfying and definitely worth the wait.
BONE LAKE premiered at Fantastic Fest on 21 September 2024. The film was theatrically released in the United States on 3 October 2025.
