Things go from mildly inconvenient to sinister within the span of a weekend as two couples decide to share a double booked Air Bnb.
Bone Lake is the new horror/mystery from director Mercedes Bryce Morgan. It follows a couple staying at a remote lakeside Air Bnb, whose plans to have a romantic vacation hit an immediate snag when another couple appears, claiming to have made the same rental reservation. The film instantly establishes a brutal tone, opening with an incredibly graphic scene where two naked people are violently murdered with a crossbow, which may or may not involve some genital impalement.
The real tension, however, is not built solely on external threats but on the dynamic between the two couples, even within their own respective relationships. The primary couple, played masterfully by Maddie Hasson and Marco Pigossi, are in a relationship that’s not exactly on the rocks, but is seemingly held together by unaddressed issues. There is an emotional volatility that is handled very well within the film’s structure.
As the sinister events unfold, the characters and audience will keep guessing as to whether the real threat is the couple’s internal distrust. The film constantly toys with a dangerous sexual undercurrent, which further exposes the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the characters through tension and temptation. Even the title of the film can be taken as a double entendre, which albeit juvenile, does accurately represent the setting.
The film subverts expectations throughout, placing seeds of doubt in the characters minds as well as the audience’s. The film’s cast does a fantastic job of capturing this sense of vulnerability and suspicion, which adds credibility to the plots many twists and turns. Every performance feels grounded, keeping a focus on engaging narrative despite the various methods of misdirection.
Morgan’s direction makes the film stand out from others in the genre with an artistic touch. The camera work elevates and enhances the film, often going in close for a sense of claustrophobia and discomfort to trap the viewers along with the couple in the isolated setting.
The framework of being primarily a mystery with horror elements is the film’s strongest suit. It constantly blurs lines and keeps the viewer in the hot seat as an active participant in piecing together the puzzle. It doesn’t rely on gore, it merely sprinkles it in as a garnish to the already savoury recipe. For those who do crave some blood and guts, you also will not be disappointed.
Ultimately, this is a creative and well-paced film that crafts a believable atmosphere with strong performances, interesting visual choices and a sense of relatability by exploring the cracks within the characters’ relationships.
Bone Lake had its theatrical release on October 3rd via Vortex Media.
“The film constantly toys with a dangerous sexual undercurrent, which further exposes the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the characters through tension and temptation”
