“Barbarian” directed by Zach Cregger, is a horror film that follows a young woman’s terrifying experiences on Airbnb. Visiting Detroit for an interview, Tess rents a house only to discover that a mysterious stranger named Keith lives in it.
While spending the night in the house, she experiences unexplained events and fears for her life. The dark and distant visual environment adds to the film’s horror aesthetic and instills a sense of dread in the audience, making them curious to know more about the Barbarian filming locations.
Where Was Barbarian Movie Filmed?
“Barbarian” was filmed in Bulgaria, Michigan, and California, specifically in Sofia, Detroit, and Malibu. Although the film is primarily set in Detroit, the filmmakers managed to create a scary and haunting atmosphere by using locations in Bulgaria to tell a compelling story.
Filming began sometime in June 2021 and likely ended in late July of that year.
Bulgaria
“Barbarian” appeared mainly in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The cast and crew painstakingly built the entire rental house from scratch on one of the studio sound stages in town. Director Zach Cregger shared in an interview that since the rooms on the set were arranged next to each other, they had to use a smart camera to show different levels of the house.
Located in the Sofia Valley at the foot of Mount Vitosha, Sofia has a humid continental climate for most of the year, making it ideal for filming movies and TV shows.
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In addition, Sofia’s rich history has played a major role in several European conflicts. The city is famous for its churches, museums, stadiums, and theaters which attract many tourists every year. Popular attractions in Sofia include Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Banya Bashi Mosque, Vitosha Boulevard, and the National History Museum. Hit movies like ‘Rambo: Last Blood, ‘Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’ and ‘Angel Has Fallen’ have been shot in the capital.
California
Some parts of ‘Barbarian’ were cast in Malibu, a beach town in Los Angeles County. Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, the city boasts numerous state parks and expansive beaches, such as Malibu Creek State Park, Leo Carillo State Beach and Park, and the famous Zuma, Point Dume, and Surfrider Beaches.
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Several movies and TV shows have been filmed in Malibu, including “Inception,” “Inventing Anna,” “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,” and “Stranger Things.”
Michigan
To add authenticity to the visuals, several opening shots were shot in Detroit, Michigan’s largest city. It is known for its valuable contributions to art, science, music, and architecture and is one of the leading automotive centers in the country.
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Many movies like Deadpool, 8 Mile, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice have used the Detroit environment for filming.
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