Where Was The Strangers Filmed? Bertino’s 2008 Debut Horror Film!!

Are you looking for a horror film to watch on the eve of Halloween 2022? Well, then your search ends here! Because in this article I will discuss one such blood-curdling film, The Strangers. And later share with you, where was The Strangers filmed.

The American psycho thriller film, The Strangers released in 2008 is the first part of The Strangers film series! Director Bryan Bertino made a directorial debut with this film. The central story of The Strangers, is about the horrific murder of a young couple who were vacationing in South Carolina. The riveting fact about the film is that the story is inspired from real life events!

The Strangers upon its release, commercially performed well! It grossed over $82 million in total box office collections, against a production budget of just $9 million. The Strangers went on to become a cult film, and was highly praised by critics as well! It received a total of 15 award nominations and won the Scream Awards in 2008!

Now before I let you in on where was The Strangers filmed. Let’s discuss the plot of the film in brief. So that you can get a better understanding of the actual storyline.

Plot Of The Strangers | What’s It About

The film begins by introducing us to the central character of James and Kristen, a young couple, who were dating each other for five long years! While returning from an event, they decide to spend the night at James’ childhood home, which is a few miles away from the city. 

After reaching the place, James and Kristen struck an argument, which leaves James frustrated and makes him want to leave at once. 

Soon after, a middle aged blonde woman is shown to arrive at their door asking for a girl. The couple readily asks the woman to leave, but after a while she comes back again. Midway through the film, Kristen and James are attacked by this strange woman, and brunette who joins in later. The psychotic duo go on a killing frenzy and end up stabbing the couple and his friend Mike, mercilessly. 

Finally the killers flee the crime scene. The credits roll as a group of young kids, working on behalf of the church, discover the bodies. Upon further prying they find Kristen to still be alive. And is rushed to the hospital.

Alright guys, time for us to find out where was The Strangers filmed. So that you can enjoy the beautiful filming locations of this crime thriller film.

Where Was The Strangers Filmed? Let’s Know This Crime Thriller Closely!!

Growing up in South Carolina, director Bryan Bertino was deeply impacted by the horrific murders that he witnessed as a child. Later in life, when Bertino was writing the screenplay of his debut film, The Strangers, he was adamant about choosing a location, which would look like his neighborhood. The place where the real murders were committed. 

As a result the production unit, along with the director, decided to film The Stranger on location, in the state of South Carolina. The filming crew did not spend too many days scouting for a perfect shooting spot, as the director Bertino was well acquainted with the place. And he knew exactly where to look for it!

The principal photography began in the second week of October 2006, and was completed by the first month of the next year! Now without any further ado, let’s discuss where was The Strangers filmed, in depth. And find out the exact shooting spots!

Timmonsville, South Carolina

The production crew arrived at their first filming destination in Florence County. After a lot of discussion the crew decided to shoot the second half of the film, first. Thus a sparsely populated town of Timmonsville, located 10 miles south of the County was selected as the major location for filming.

A vacant small sized house was selected by the crew, which featured in the film as James’ vacation home. Before shooting the exterior and interior scenes, the production unit turned around the look of the house. Even though the story in the film is set in 2005, the unit knowingly constructed the outer design and interior decor of the house in 70s style. Director Bertino wanted to match the look with the “Murder House” that was their in his neighborhood!

Thus after the completion of construction, the exterior shots were filmed. However in order to capture the sequences which were filmed at night, the crew brought in special lighting equipment.

Ok, so here are a couple of films and shows that I’d recommend for you to watch, such as The Crown, Andor, The Batman, No Time to Die, Once Upon a TIme in Hollywood, Sleepy Hollow, Trick which even though were not filmed in the same location. But are equally interesting, or maybe a little more! (Chuckles)

Florence County | South Carolina

After completing the filming the scenes of the house, where most of the events in the film takes place. The production unit shot some other outdoor scenes that appear initially in the movie The Strangers. The exterior shots of Florence County road were taken, where James and Kristen are shown returning from a wedding during the opening scenes.

No other places in the city of Florence, were used for filming! However you can check out, these amazing places in Florence, such as Florence Veteran Park, Florence County Museum, Ebenezer Park and The Columns Plantation Home if you’re looking to visit this place.

Final Words

Ok, so now that you’ve gone through the plot of the film. And know where was The Strangers filmed. I hope you’d give this film a shot, if you haven’t watched it already. And don’t mention your thoughts about this article in the comment section below. Be sure to visit Viebly to read other entertaining articles.