Slasher fans, get ready for a new bloodbath at summer camp! Mary’s Lake is a brand-new slasher flick that just rolled out of Sumter, South Carolina, courtesy of first-time filmmaker Mark A. Williams.
The setup is classic summer camp horror goodness: a bunch of enthusiastic camp counselors are all geared up for a summer filled with sunshine, friendship bracelets, and maybe a little bit of teenage romance. But their dreams of idyllic summer days quickly turn into a full-blown nightmare when a seriously dangerous dude escapes from a nearby mental institution and decides to make Camp Palametto his personal hunting ground.
As these counselors fight for their lives against a very real, very human threat, they start to realize that their attacker isn’t just some escaped psycho. This guy’s also packing some serious supernatural baggage. Things go from bad to seriously eerie as they grapple with the immediate physical danger and these strange, unsettling forces that seem to pull the strings of the terrifying events unfolding around them. Let’s say, they quickly figure out that booking a summer at Mary’s Lake was a monumental screw-up.
Director Mark A. Williams is clearly a fan of the classics. “Mary’s Lake is a film that pays homage to classic camp slasher movies, reflecting my deep love and nostalgia for the genre,” he said. “As a first-time filmmaker, I aimed to recreate the magic that inspired me during my childhood. The film is intended to be an entertaining slasher with an unexpected twist at the end, laying the groundwork for potential sequels in the future. I hope that audiences enjoy watching Mary’s Lake as much as I enjoyed the creative process behind it.”
Mary’s Lake has already been making some waves on the festival circuit. It was an official selection at both the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival and the Moonless International Film Festival in 2025. Plus, it even snagged the Audience Choice Award at the Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest, so it’s connecting with horror fans.
If you’re craving a throwback slasher vibe, Mary’s Lake could be your next late-night watch. Watch for when and where to catch this new summer camp horror canon entry! In the meantime, watch the latest trailer for a taste of the bloody action to come.
