Interview by Paul Salfen
The set of Bone Lake, a darkly hilarious and seductive horror thriller, was anything but ordinary. Picture this: a secluded lakeside estate, a cast dripping in fake blood, and a mysterious “slam chair” sparking fits of laughter between takes. For Maddie Hasson, Marco Pigossi, Alex Roe, and Andra Nechita, the 18-day shoot was a whirlwind of absurdity, camaraderie, and creative chaos that brought this twisted tale of sex, lies, and survival to life.
AMFM’s host Paul Salfen opined starring in a movie “is not quite as much fun as you think, but this set really looked like fun.” For the Bone Lake cast, the grueling schedule and bizarre set pieces—like a room stuffed with sex toys and a Ouija board—made for an unexpectedly joyful experience. “We were all together for 18 days in the same location,” they recall, their voices overlapping with the warmth of shared memories. “You’re just, like, covered in fake blood, and then there’s this… slam chair?” The room erupts in laughter as they try to explain the infamous chair, a prop that became a running joke on set. “In Brazil, we call it the slam chair,” Marco teases, prompting more giggles.
Directed with a sharp eye for dark comedy and visceral horror, Bone Lake follows a couple whose romantic getaway unravels when they’re forced to share their idyllic mansion with another enigmatic pair. What begins as a dreamy escape spirals into a nightmarish maze of manipulation, buried secrets, and a bloody fight for survival. For the actors, bringing this story to life meant diving headfirst into the absurdity of the script while staying grounded in the emotional stakes of their characters.
The cast’s chemistry is palpable, forged in the pressure cooker of an 18-day shoot. “The crazier it got, the more fun it was,” one actor explains. The physicality of the film—think blood-soaked scenes and high-stakes chases—made it easier to stay in the moment. “Everything feels pretty real when you’re doing it,” they add, describing how the wild energy of the set mirrored the film’s unhinged narrative. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Andra admits to struggling to keep a straight face, especially when working opposite her mischievous co-stars. “It took me five, maybe ten minutes to get ready each day because I had to stop laughing,” she confesses.
For aspiring actors dreaming of following in their footsteps, the Bone Lake cast offers hard-earned wisdom. Maddie emphasizes passion: “It has to be the thing you love the most. If you don’t want to spend all your time doing it, it’s not worth it.” She reflects on her own journey, from hometown theater to dance to the big screen, underscoring the dedication it takes to thrive in the industry. Alex adds a note of resilience: “Celebrate every win, every single little moment, because it can be hard.” And Marco, ever the “boring uncle,” offers a simple but profound piece of advice: “Read. Just read a lot. Books, plays, road signs, TikTok—whatever you can get your hands on.”
As the interview winds down, the cast’s enthusiasm is infectious. “I can tell you guys I had the best time making it,” Salfen declares, urging fans to “check out the movie, go see it in theaters with a big crowd.” Bone Lake promises to be a wild ride—a seductive, hilarious, and terrifying journey that reflects the chaotic fun of its creation. From fake blood to slam chairs, this is one set where the madness was as real as the magic.
