Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s Bone Lake Premieres at FrightFest and Heads to Theaters October 3
A romantic getaway turns into a nightmare in Bone Lake, the new film from director Mercedes Bryce Morgan. Distributed by Bleeker Street, the genre-bending horror-comedy is set to arrive in theaters on October 3, 2025, and has already begun making waves on the festival circuit. This past weekend, Bone Lake screened at the UK’s prestigious FrightFest, where it was described by many attendees as one of the strongest films of this year’s lineup.
A Darkly Seductive Horror Story
The official synopsis paints a picture of paradise gone horribly wrong:
“A couple’s romantic vacation at a secluded lakeside estate is upended when they are forced to share the mansion with a mysterious and attractive couple. In this darkly hilarious and seductive horror story, a dream getaway spirals into a nightmarish maze of sex, lies, and manipulation, bringing terrifying secrets to light and triggering a bloody battle for survival.”
While the trailer keeps its cards close to the chest, it teases a story that blends erotic tension, sharp humor, and escalating horror. At first glance, the premise recalls films like The Invitation or What Keeps You Alive, where idyllic retreats turn sinister. But Morgan infuses her work with dark comedy, ensuring that the tension is undercut with biting wit and satire.
From Music Videos to Festival Darling
Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan has steadily built a reputation for striking visuals and emotionally charged storytelling. She first honed her craft directing music videos and shorts before moving into feature films. Her previous projects, including Spoonful of Sugar (2022) and Fixation (2022), demonstrated her knack for exploring twisted relationships and psychological breakdowns, often through a female-driven lens.
With Bone Lake, Morgan seems poised to deliver her most widely publicized and commercially visible project yet. Bleeker Street’s commitment to promoting the film, complete with a high-profile trailer launch and festival push, indicates strong faith in its appeal to genre fans.
FrightFest Acclaim
At FrightFest 2025 in London, Bone Lake premiered to a packed crowd, where its mix of seduction, paranoia, and bloodshed reportedly left a lasting impression. Early reactions praised its tonal balance — finding humor within horror — and highlighted its surprising twists. Several critics and fans in attendance labeled it “one of the strongest films at this year’s festival,” cementing it as a must-watch entry for horror fans as it heads into its theatrical release.
The festival’s reputation for spotlighting emerging genre voices adds weight to the buzz. FrightFest has historically been a launchpad for films like Kill List, The Descent, and You’re Next. Morgan’s inclusion among this year’s standout talents signals that Bone Lake could enjoy a similar cult following once it reaches wider audiences.
Bleeker Street’s Push into Genre
Although Bleeker Street is best known for distributing independent dramas and prestige titles, the company has increasingly dipped its toes into genre territory. Their marketing of Bone Lake shows a willingness to back riskier, darker material while tapping into the horror community’s enthusiasm. With theatrical and likely VOD releases planned, the studio seems confident that the film’s blend of horror, comedy, and sensuality will attract a diverse audience.
Anticipation Builds for October
The combination of a sharp directorial voice, festival buzz, and the allure of a sinister couples’ showdown makes Bone Lake one of this fall’s more intriguing horror offerings. Whether it finds its biggest audience in theaters or through streaming platforms later, Morgan’s film seems destined to spark discussion.
At its core, Bone Lake explores themes of intimacy, trust, betrayal, and survival — all set against the backdrop of a supposedly idyllic lakeside escape. For fans of psychological thrillers laced with humor and horror, it looks like a trip well worth taking.
With October 3rd fast approaching, audiences won’t have to wait long to dive into Bone Lake and discover what lies beneath its surface charm.
