Big-screen erotic thrillers arguably peaked again within the late 80s and early 90s, each in amount and high quality, however connoisseurs of fleshy, murderous antics know that the subgenre isn’t fairly useless. Deep Water (2022) and Fair Play (2023) each handle psychological thrills with a facet of saucy nibblings — and each went straight to streaming. It’s an unlucky fact given as we speak’s market realities and the mixture of studios antagonistic to threat and moviegoers who’ve grown inexplicably prudish. Anyway, this can be a great distance of claiming the subgenre stays, but it surely’s now a small-screen affair. The newest entry so that you can get pleasure from within the privateness of your individual dwelling lets you realize proper out of the gate what its intentions are because it’s referred to as, await it, Bone Lake.
Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi) are a younger couple on the lookout for a soothing weekend. The massive home they lease is an extravagance, however the hope is that the time collectively will assist clean over a number of the wrinkles of their relationship. Unfortunately for these intentions, although, one other couple arrives having rented the identical home for a similar weekend. Cin (Andra Nechita) and Will (Alex Roe) are youthful, freer spirits, and the 4 determine that sharing the mansion received’t be an issue. Fools. Secrets are revealed, libidos are teased and examined, and blood will likely be among the many bodily fluids spilled earlier than the weekend’s over.
Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan‘s fourth feature finds thrills and compelling character beats in a troubled relationship, and it’s the theme of belief that rears its head many times. A person and a lady, who perhaps don’t belief one another, a pair that perhaps doesn’t belief the youthful, sexier model of themselves, viewers who most likely don’t belief any of those horndogs. Layered all through are conversations that really feel uncommon of their honesty and existence on the display screen, however whereas they add some depth it’s the vibes and twists that take heart stage.
The again half delivers a handful of considerably surprising story turns, however don’t go in anticipating one other Barbarian from this related setup. While that movie swings for the fences, Bone Lake and Joshua Friedlander‘s script keep things far more grounded and on point for genre fans. That’s not a knock, because it’s not the surprises that hold the momentum and vitality at a steadily rising price. New reveals are doled out, but it surely’s the more and more heightened rigidity — from doubt, jealousy, worry — that convey the thrills.
The script is wise sufficient, however Bone Lake rides or dies on its 4 lead performances. Nichita and Roe have arguably the simpler roles because the sexually open, game-playing youthful couple, however they do the work to not solely create plausible characters, but in addition ones whose sleazy manipulations have the sicko a part of ourselves smiling with glee. (Don’t deny it.) Pigossi’s character is a little more stereotypical because the fabled cuck being challenged in surprising methods, however he’s strong. It’s finally Hasson, although, who instructions your consideration (and never simply because she might be a double for Florence Pugh). Her character is multi-dimensional in ways in which feminine style leads not often get to be, and Hasson walks a fantastically nice line as a lady who’s extra actual than good. Do you root for her or towards her? It’s an enchanting internal debate that the movie and Hasson create for viewers on prime of the continuing narrative.
It’s value stating that, whereas the “erotic thriller” label applies right here, that is removed from the likes of what we obtained within the subgenre’s heyday. Morgan and her forged tease attractive beats with out nudity to the purpose that it feels virtually conspicuous in its absence. To be clear, nudity, whether or not feminine or male, isn’t a requirement, however for a movie this open in its conversations, options, and intentions, its absence is notable. Just as notable, and maybe a bit telling, the one nudity the movie does supply comes from a useless girl.
Bone Lake received’t remind of you of steamy, late-night thrillers on Skinemax, but it surely ought to scratch that itch for compelling thrillers geared toward grownup audiences. More than that, it’s a enjoyable one at instances that manages a level of jeopardy whereas nonetheless touchdown a satisfying conclusion that properly retains at the very least one doubt hanging unfastened within the air.
