“Matriarch” Directed by Ben Steiner, is a scary movie about a woman named Laura Birch who contracts an unusual disease after surviving an overdose. The movie explores the toxic relationship between the protagonist and her mother, combining genres such as body horror and black comedy.
Initially titled ‘Wormeater’, the overall story of ‘Matriarch’ carries a dysphoric and gloomy aura that can be attributed to the seemingly desolate backdrops. Dull blue and greyish undertones enhance the moody effect and add an eerie atmosphere.
These aspects of the film fuel the audience’s curiosity as to where the film was shot. These aspects of the film impressed the curiosity of the audience, where the ‘Matriarch’ film was shot.
Where Was Matriarch Movie Filmed?
“Matriarch” was filmed in several locations in the southwest region of England, which is known, among other things, for its remoteness and tranquility. In an interview with Starburst Magazine, director Ben Steiner revealed that the production of his feature debut encountered several obstacles.
Then the film’s lead actress, Jemima Rooper (Laura), also tested positive for COVID-19, adding another crack in the filming process. After rescheduling and some operational issues, the team played their best game. Filming eventually began in November 2021 and ended in January 2022 with another full day of filming at the end of May 2022.
England
One of the main filming locations for the film “Matriarch” is the city of Bristol, which is also historically a county. Located along the River Avon, the site is a cultural center and lies between the counties of Gloucestershire and Somerset.
At the time of filming, writer and director Ben Steiner had lived in the city for eight years and found the landscape suitable for storytelling.
View this post on Instagram
The film also visited Mount Without to film several of its scenes. Located on St. Michael’s Hill near Bristol University, it used to be a church and has a history of more than 900 years. But it has now been transformed into a creative meeting space and also functions as a wedding venue.
Additionally, the film was filmed in and around Berkeley Square and closer to Brunel’s SS Great Britain. While Berkeley Square is a luxury boutique hotel in Clifton, a stunning suburb of Bristol, the SS Great Britain is a museum ship that used to be a passenger steamer.
View this post on Instagram
Due to their history, the above locations have an ancient and grim aesthetic that lends the narrative a much-needed bleakness. Other notable shows and films filmed in Bristol include ‘His Dark Materials, ‘Hellboy’, ‘Bridgerton’, ‘Being John Malkovich, and ‘Broadchurch’.
Somerset County, located in the south of Bristol, also served as a filming location for the movie “Matriarch”. The film was shot in the village of Sutton Mallet, which is based in Sedgemoor on the Somerset Levels.
View this post on Instagram
The place is famous for its homonymous church, which has had a rich history since the Middle Ages. In addition, the village is pretty remote, which lends itself to the desolate atmosphere of several scenes in the film.
Related – Triangle of Sadness (2022): Where Was Comedy Movie Filmed?