Bone Lake is a 2025 erotic thriller with strong elements of mystery and horror. Directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan and written by Joshua Friedlander, the film follows two couples who escape to a quiet lakeside retreat—only to get pulled into a disturbing game of deception, survival, and betrayal.
The movie had its first premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2024, where it got favourable reviews for its tense atmosphere and stylish direction. Bleecker Street will release it in theatres across the U.S. on October 24, 2025.
The film’s setting is what really grabs people’s attention, even more than the suspenseful plot. The story mostly takes place in one place: a fancy mansion on the lake that is both romantic and creepy. The people who worked on the show didn’t just build a set. They used a real place to make the story feel more real and set the mood. This NetFilming article will look at where Bone Lake was filmed and why that place was the best choice for this psychological thriller.
Where was Bone Lake filmed?
The movie was mostly filmed in Conyers, Georgia, a pretty city about 25 miles east of Atlanta. This place was perfect for the movie’s secluded and opulent lakeside estate. Villa Serena is the main attraction. It is a stunning mansion that serves as the fictional Bone Lake estate where the drama takes place.
Villa Serena is on Black Shoals Lake.
Villa Serena, a beautiful private mansion on the edge of Black Shoals Lake, is where most of the filming took place. The villa’s stucco-and-stone exterior, beautiful architecture, and 100 acres of private land made it the main setting for the movie’s scary events.
The mansion features:
- Terraced gardens
- Arched patios
- Secluded wooded areas
- Panoramic lake views
These elements weren’t just a visual treat—they played directly into the film’s mood. The sense of isolation, paired with the elegance of the villa, gave the movie its mix of romance and danger. The villa feels like a peaceful retreat on the outside, but inside, secrets and darkness unfold.
The filmmakers leaned into this contrast to heighten the suspense and keep viewers uncertain about what’s real and what’s not. According to several crew interviews, much of the interior and exterior footage was shot on-location, with minimal set dressing, to preserve the authenticity of the space.
Trivia – Conyers, Georgia:
Conyers has been used as a filming location for several major productions. Notably:
- The Vampire Diaries (The series used nearby locations in and around Conyers)
- Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
- Stranger Things (Parts of early seasons were filmed near Conyers)
Its scenic landscapes and versatile locations have made it a frequent choice for both television and feature films.
Production Timeline
Here’s a breakdown of the filming and release timeline for Bone Lake:
Phase | Date | Details |
---|---|---|
Pre-production | Mid to Late 2023 | Script finalized, location scouting in Georgia |
Filming | Likely Late 2023 – Early 2024 | Principal photography in Conyers and at Villa Serena |
Post-production | Mid-2024 | Editing, color grading, and soundtrack work |
Festival Premiere | September 2024 | Premiered at Fantastic Fest |
U.S. Theatrical Release | October 24, 2025 | Released by Bleecker Street |
Bone Lake Behind The Scenes
Filming in a real location like Villa Serena came with both benefits and challenges. The cast and crew had to work around unpredictable weather, natural lighting, and the remote layout of the property. But those very elements helped add authenticity to the film.
Director Mercedes Bryce Morgan explained how the location influenced the movie’s tone:
“We didn’t want this to feel like a set. The lake, the woods, and the house had to feel alive — almost like they were watching the characters. That tension is what we were aiming for.”
Lead actor Joe Tippett shared how isolating the filming environment became a tool for performance:
“You felt cut off from the world. That sense of quiet unease really helped us tap into the emotional core of each scene.”
The film’s intense scenes were shot with a lean crew to maintain intimacy and focus. The actors often stayed on or near location during the shoot, which helped them stay immersed in their roles. Natural soundscapes—like the wind on the lake or footsteps on old wood—were used in the final audio mix, adding another layer of realism to the film.
Bone Lake (2025) Official Trailer
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