‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ is a horror movie about a young couple, Ryan and Maya. They are traveling for their fifth anniversary and stop in a small town. They stay in a remote cabin for the night. But their romantic time is ruined when three masked strangers attack them with axes and knives. Ryan and Maya must fight for their lives in the forested countryside as the strangers become more dangerous.
Renny Harlin is the director of this movie. It is a remake of Bryan Bertino’s 2008 movie ‘The Strangers.’ This movie is the first in a trilogy. The story has a lot of suspense, thrill, and terror as the couple’s cabin is attacked. The desolate setting and forested landscapes make the movie more intense.
Where was “The Strangers: Chapter 1” Filmed?
‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ was filmed entirely in Bratislava, Slovakia. Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia, which is a country in Central Europe. The filming for all three movies in the trilogy was done at the same time. The shooting started in September 2022 and finished by the end of October 2022.
In an interview, director Renny Harlin talked about the challenges of shooting all three movies together. He said, “It was the challenge of a lifetime, but I also really embraced it. On a Monday morning, I could be shooting the second chapter, and Monday afternoon I could be shooting the first chapter, and Tuesday morning I could be shooting the third chapter. It was incredibly demanding for the actors, for the continuity in terms of the make-up and wardrobe, and for my director of photography.”
Bratislava, Slovakia
‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ was filmed in and around Bratislava, which is a cultural and historic city on the banks of the Danube River. The hilly and forested landscapes in the movie are part of the Little Carpathian Mountains north of the city. These forests look scary in the movie, but in real life, they are great for outdoor activities.
Hikers and cyclists frequently use the forest routes. If you walk deep into the forest, you will find the remnants of ancient castles. People can even reserve cabins in the woods to rest before the horror begins, as Ryan and Maya did. These cabins are frequently found at campgrounds, along with bicycles for exploring the area. Secluded vineyards can be found on the eastern slopes of the Small Carpathian Mountains, also known as Malé Karpaty in Slovakia. These vineyards are part of a wine tour that allows visitors to experience nature while tasting wonderful wine.
Filming Challenges in Bratislava
For the movie team, the beautiful forest was the backdrop for their busy filming schedule. Producer Courtney Solomon talked about the hard work each day. They often filmed scenes from all three movies in one day at the same location.
Solomon said, “So literally in the morning, she (Madelaine Petsch, who plays Maya) might be the Maya you saw in the movie, in the car driving with him… And then in the afternoon, she’d come out from lunch and she’d have the full movie three like makeup and wardrobe and be a completely different person from four days later. Which was just wild to get your head around, because in a normal script, it’s hard enough to keep your head around the arc. But in an arc like this, it’s a whole other to-do.”
Bratislava City
Bratislava is smaller than most European capitals, but it boasts a rich history and numerous pedestrian-only neighborhoods. Bratislava Castle is one of the city’s most famous sights. It is located on a hill that overlooks the Old Town. The castle has witnessed centuries of history and provides spectacular views of the city and surroundings. Other films and plays filmed in Bratislava include ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz,’ ‘Chernobyl,’ ‘Red Sparrow,’ and ‘DragonHeart.’
These are the main filming locations for ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1.’ The beautiful and historic places in Bratislava and the Little Carpathian Mountains helped create the scary and intense atmosphere of the movie.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Strangers: Chapter 1
Q: Where was ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ filmed?
A: ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ was filmed entirely in Bratislava, Slovakia. The movie showcases the beautiful and eerie landscapes of the Little Carpathian Mountains and other locations around the city.
Q: When did the filming of ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ take place?
A: The filming of ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ started in September 2022 and wrapped up by the end of October 2022. All three movies in the trilogy were filmed simultaneously during this period.
Q: When was ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ released?
A: ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’ was released in theaters on May 17, 2024, and is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Q: What were the challenges faced by the director while filming ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’?
A: Director Renny Harlin faced significant challenges filming all three movies in the trilogy simultaneously. This required careful planning and coordination for actors’ make-up, wardrobe, and continuity, as they often filmed scenes from different movies on the same day.
Q: What are some notable filming locations used in ‘The Strangers: Chapter 1’?
A: Notable filming locations include the forested areas of the Little Carpathian Mountains, the picturesque surroundings of Bratislava, and the historic Bratislava Castle. These locations helped create the tense and eerie atmosphere of the movie.
