A Weekend Getaway Turns Deadly: Diego and Sage’s Holiday Begins

An intense opening shows us a young couple who are completely naked, running through the woods while being hunted by a dark figure armed with a crossbow. They fail to escape or outrun their pursuer and are brutally killed.  After this intense opening, we are introduced to Diego (Marco Pigossi) and Sage (Maddie Hasson) as they drive toward their holiday destination. Based on their conversation, we learn that Diego is currently teaching at a college but hopes to give it up to become a full-time novelist. He is eager to begin writing a new book, and both Diego and Sage are keen to enjoy their weekend together, hoping for plenty of relaxation. In secret, Diego has made plans to propose, with a wedding ring hidden in the car’s glove compartment, hoping to make their holiday truly unforgettable.  When they arrive at their destination, they discover a house that is large, stunning, and seemingly perfect in every way.

Tension and Deception: Secrets Surface in a Haunted Holiday Home

However, Diego and Sage’s time of peace and intimacy is short-lived when another couple, Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita), arrive at the same house. Due to a booking error, both couples have reserved the property at the same time.  Although hesitant at first, the two couples eventually agree to stay and try to make the holiday work without disrupting each other, hoping for a pleasant experience.  Yet, among the four people sharing the house, lies, deception, and temptation begin to emerge. The tension is heightened by the house’s dark history, including an urban legend about a serial killer, and rumours that the lake surrounding the property is filled with human bones.

Bone Lake: A Trashy Erotic Thriller with Splatter Horror Elements

Bone Lake is best described as a trashy erotic thriller with elements of splatter horror. The film is directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, whose previous works include Spoonful of Sugar (2022), Stargate Origins (2018), Forbidden (2018), and Fixation (2022).

Gruesome Violence and Atmospheric Tension with a Dark Finale

When it comes to gruesome violence, the film certainly delivers, including in its opening act and even more so during the showdown, which raises the intensity even further.  In terms of pacing, this is a slow-burning film that successfully develops its characters. As the audience, we gain significant insight into the relationships, such as the intimacy issues between Diego and Sage. The house itself also plays an important role, adding mystery with elements like the three locked doors found at the end of the hallway. The audio effects are well executed, and the film makes excellent use of lighting throughout. That said, I must admit that many moments in the finale felt far darker than I personally preferred.

Predictable Twists and Questionable Character Choices

Speaking of reveals and major twists, while I enjoyed the film’s setup, I found nearly everything except for one minor element to be quite predictable, as if it had been done or seen before. The performances are adequate, but the characters are not always particularly sharp. Poor and baffling choices occur throughout, some of which are extremely hard to accept. Even at the most critical moments, characters often respond with long stares instead of confronting situations like adults or acting with urgency, creating even more problems for the leads. I could not help but feel frustrated watching these moments unfold.

Final Verdict: A Gruesome, Trashy, and Entertaining Horror Thriller

Bone Lake (2024) will be available at Monster Fest 2025, Thanks to Umbrella!

Published: 15th September 2025

Written by: Peter Walkden

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