When, in the first few minutes, a completely naked couple runs through the forest, pursued by a mysterious crossbowman who fires one bolt after another at the two of them, and finally a close-up shot of a scrotum being pierced by a bullet, at least fans of exploitation slasher films get glittering eyes and rub their hands in joyful anticipation. But the beginning is misleading:
Instead of being another “Friday the 13th” clone, “Bone Lake” is an erotic thriller peppered with twists, which is most closely in the tradition of a wave of raunchy productions that caused delight in cinemas and video stores in the 1990s with a mixture of suspense and bare facts: So if you enjoyed films like “The Hot Spot” (1990), If you like “Basic Instinct” (1992), “Poison Ivy” (1992), “Sliver” (1993), “Body Of Evidence” (1993) or “Wild Things” (1998), you will also get your money’s worth here. However, the tension decreases significantly in the finale, especially since “Bone Lake” remains surprisingly/disappointingly modest after its opening and presents a very tired motive for the atrocities.
Diego (Marco Pigossi) and Sage (Maddie Hasson) can't shake the feeling that they're being watched in their accidentally (?) double-rented luxury holiday home…
Diego (Marco Pigossi) and Sage (Maddie Hasson) want to spend a romantic vacation at a secluded lake property, the titular Bone Lake. But then another couple suddenly appears: Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita), good-looking, charismatic, generous. Apparently the luxurious house was rented twice. So they agree to try it together, no problem with the giant castle – and at first things go pretty well.
But Sage soon finds the new acquaintance a little strange and finally the first big twist comes: Will unexpectedly proposes to Cin – with exactly the ring that Diego actually wanted to propose to Sage with. Will talks his way out of it somewhat convincingly, but it gradually becomes clearer to Sage and Diego that the other couple is probably up to something. Or is that just paranoia stirring within them…
Rich bashing again
When the mystery is finally revealed, the finale of the film begins, which is still quite entertaining but not very exciting, which then veers into relatively tame slasher territory, in which a chainsaw is pulled out, but the blood sausage doesn't really spin. The motive behind the actions is more disappointing, because the messed up world of the upper class has been a constant theme in films and series in recent years, from “Triangle Of Sadness” to “Squid Game” to the “Hostel” films. In addition, longer reviews in which the motivations and procedures are explained are usually not particularly exciting.
The fact that “Bone Lake” slips into mediocrity in the final third is extremely unfortunate, because in the first hour the film by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, who was also a music video director for trap/dubstep superstar Marshmello, is quite a lot of fun. This is not only due to the successful, dynamic production, which scores with rich colors and imaginative camera movements, but also to a story that allows for certain ambivalences for a long time.
Although “Bone Lake” starts off like a slaher, it doesn’t have much in common with “Friday the 13th” and the like. But the chainsaw is still brought out in the finale…
Despite their very self-confident, almost smooth demeanor, Will and Cin appear charismatic and thus become a projection surface for Sage and Diego's dreams. The two embody the classic, somewhat depressed, average next-door couple, in which fragility quickly becomes noticeable. Although she supports him financially so that he can give up his college job and pursue his writing dreams, she doesn't seem to be really convinced of his abilities. Diego, on the other hand, is still suffering from the fact that Sage had sex with her ex a few months after their relationship began. In theory, an affair with the seductive Cin as “revenge sex” would be just right.
According to Sage, the affair was meaningless, but whether that's true remains an open question, because Diego turns out to be conservative in bed and doesn't seem to satisfy her needs, which is made clear in a haunting scene: He surprises her while masturbating in the bathtub, but she has no interest in him joining him. The dashing Will seems to have made more of an impression, doesn't he? “Bone Lake” plays for a while with the expectation of new constellations forming, but then decides on the simplest path: some are good, others bitterly evil. In the end, “Bone Lake” also celebrates petit bourgeoisie in a certain way.
Conclusion: Smartly made, long-lasting erotic thriller with a dash of slasher that is reminiscent of 1990s productions and features four convincing actors. At the same time, “Bone Lake” makes itself a bit too comfortable, especially in the last third, especially since it remains surprisingly modest despite all the hints of eroticism.