Where was Don’t Move filmed? 2024 Netflix Horror Movie Filming Locations Explained

Warning: The following contains some spoilers for Don’t MoveNetflix’s new horror film Don’t move is now available to watch on the streaming platform, and here’s more information about the real locations that served as the film’s setting. Don’t move is a tense horror film directed by Adam Schindler and Brian Netto and produced by iconic horror director Sam Raimi. The film follows its main character, Iris, as she tries to escape a serial killer after being injected with a paralyzing drug.

The audience is first introduced to Iris and Richard at the top of a mountain trail and the first chase scene takes place in the surrounding forest. One of the main factors that creates tension in Don’t move is the film’s vast outdoor setting. Even when characters enter cars or buildings, these features fit seamlessly into the natural environment and bring the characters’ journeys to life. Despite the tense subject matter, the beauty of the landscape stands out, which may leave fans wondering where the film was actually filmed.

Monterey Coast and County, California

California appears in some scenes at the beginning of the film

Although the entire film takes place in California, only a few scenes at the beginning of the Don’t move were actually shot there. These early scenes help establish a sense of place for the main character, Iris.like his home and neighborhood in Seaside, California. This allows the audience to better understand the kind of life Iris lives, her relationship with her husband, who is only seen briefly, and her desire to escape to nature to remember her son.

As Iris leaves the house and drives to the state park, one notable site that can be seen is the Bixby Bridge in Monterey County, California. The Bixby Bridge further helps the public understand the beauty of Iris’s surroundings and, as one of the most famous bridges in the United States, definitely places Iris in the Big Sur area of ​​California.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Most of Don’t Move was filmed in and around the Bulgarian capital

Aside from the few scenes at the beginning of the Sam Raimi-produced horror film that depict the real California, for the most part Don’t moveDuring the runtime, Bulgaria represents the California desert. The Bulgarian capital Sofia and its surroundings provide lush green trees and hiking trails that can be seen throughout the film. This is the perfect substitute for the trails in Big Sur’s natural parks.

This vegetation is especially noticeable in the chase scene where Iris tries to hide from Richard among the trees and eventually reaches a river. Sofia also replaced California in several scenes where the characters encounter buildings. This was until the filming of the climactic final fight by the lake.

Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria

Don’t Move makes use of the popular hiking spot for effective scares

In a striking scene at the beginning of the film, Iris is seen crossing a river of stones. This scene was filmed on Vitosha mountain near Sofia, Bulgaria. The location seen in Don’t movespecifically, it is known as Zlatnite Mostove. It is a large stone river that marks the beautiful landscape of the mountains.

Why Don’t move makes use of Sofia as a backdrop for many of its scenes, it only makes sense that the filmmakers would choose to relocate to a popular hiking destination nearby when they need more rugged scenery. This scene highlights the effort it takes Iris to reach her destination. This points to the importance of the location for her character.

Vidin Province, Bulgaria

The rocky landscape looks stunning in the film

The last notable site that can be seen in Don’t move is the province of Vidin, Bulgaria. The rocky landscape of that province replaces the rocky terrain of Big Sur, which can be seen around the Bixby Bridge at the beginning of the film. Similar to Vitosha Mountain, the province of Vidin features a more rugged landscape that emphasizes the effort Iris exerts, first to reach the destination of her son’s memorial hike, then in an attempt to escape Richard.

The scenes filmed in the province of Vidin are especially important to Iris’ character arc throughout Don’t move because although she initially climbs the mountain to end her life in the same place her son died, she meets Richard. After fighting the paralytic agent Richard injects into her while trying to cross the rocky terrain, Iris realizes how much she wants to live.

While Don’t moveWhile the use of Bulgaria as California may come as a surprise to audiences at first, it’s clear that the filmmakers made the substitution believable. The vastness of the wilderness helps make the film as exciting as it is. The importance of these elements to Iris and Richard’s travels almost makes the setting a character in itself. Don’t move.