"Bone Lake": A Bloody Black Comedy of Errors

The movie "Bone Lake," directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, presents a daring twist on the short-term house rental scenario. Compared to Zach Cregger's "Barbarian," where a similar double-booking situation evolves into terror, Morgan's film takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster filled with annoyance, camaraderie, lust, and suspicion, eventually leading to terror. Despite the film's imperfections, its cleverly conceived plot and confident execution make for an enjoyable viewing experience that dips into bloody black comedy.

Her prior features, "Fixation" and "Spoonful of Sugar," showcased horror-leaning ideas. They stylishly presented a peek into the minds of unstable leading females, often leaving a more intriguing than satisfying conclusion. Similarly, Joshua Friedlander's script for "Bone Lake" involves elements of instability but follows a more structured narrative path, laden with twists and deceits. The couples' dynamic in "Bone Lake" is similar to that in "Speak No Evil" but is portrayed in a semi-serious erotic thriller fashion, reminiscent of Polanski's "Bitter Moon" of the ’90s.

The film's main characters, Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Brazilian actor Marco Pigossi), are a couple planning to escalate their commitment towards each other. Diego plans to use their getaway weekend at a secluded mansion to propose to Sage. Despite their apparent affection for each other, tension brews under the surface.

As the plot unfolds, another couple, Cin (Andra Nechita) and Will (Alex Roe), appears due to a booking error. Their flashy attractiveness and extroverted nature quickly blend with the original couple, leading to a series of shared adventures and discoveries. However, their seemingly harmless presence evolves into offensive manipulation and seduction. Eventually, Sage and Diego realize the imminent danger they face.

Although the film tiptoes into an overly theatrical portrayal of villainy, it recoups with a focus on the protagonists' survival efforts. The dripping gallows’ humor, chainsaws, and potentially lethal plot devices add a creative edge.

Despite borrowing concepts from films like "The Servant" and "Saltburn," "Bone Lake" presents an innovative blend of these ideas, thanks to Morgan's skillful direction. Four main characters, engaging camerawork, and elaborate production design contribute to the film's engaging final product.