The dark crime drama Absolution is about a character named Thug, played by Liam Neeson, who is an old mob enforcer living out his last days. The movie has a talented cast and crew. It was directed by Hans Petter Moland, who also directed “In Order of Disappearance.” It was written by Tony Gayton, who also created “Hell on Wheels.”
Starring alongside Neeson are Ron Perlman as mob boss Charlie Conner, Daniel Diemer as his volatile son Kyle, Yolonda Ross as the mysterious Woman who sparks Thug’s awakening, and Frankie Shaw as Daisy, Thug’s estranged daughter. The film is more than a mob tale—it is a meditation on redemption, memory, and legacy. Though originally set for Los Angeles, the production team shifted filming to Boston and its surrounding towns—offering a blend of city grit and waterfront isolation that matches the film’s tone.
WHERE WAS ABSOLUTION FILMED?
Filming began in October 2022 and wrapped before Thanksgiving of the same year. While initially set to shoot in Los Angeles, the production shifted entirely to Massachusetts, where the cities of Boston, Winthrop, Allston, and Norwood provided the backdrop for the film’s somber tone and visual texture.
Below, we break down the exact filming locations and how they contribute to the film’s aesthetic and emotional undercurrents.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA
Boston serves as the movie’s primary setting and filming hub. Scenes were shot throughout neighborhoods like Allston and the North End, infusing the film with the city’s raw urban character.
Notably, the production filmed in PURO Ceviche Bar, a known seafood spot in Boston. Its modern, vibrant interiors stand in contrast to the otherwise bleak world of Thug. Director Hans Petter Moland reportedly used this location to juxtapose Thug’s crumbling emotional state with moments of human connection.
Moland also took advantage of Deer Island, a peninsula connected to the mainland with breathtaking views of the Boston skyline and Boston Harbor. These natural settings contrast the grit of the city, symbolizing Thug’s internal struggle between past and future.
Additionally, Anthony’s Pier 4 in Swampscott, a well-known waterfront dining location, was also reportedly used during early filming. A Facebook user who worked on the set mentioned being part of a “restaurant scene” shot at this location. The scenic harborfront view and classic New England charm contributed to the film’s grounded and weathered aesthetic.
ALLSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
A neighborhood within Boston, Allston was chosen for several key outdoor sequences. Known for its student population, food joints, and local music scene, the area gave the production access to colorful exteriors and densely packed streets. These visuals reflect the chaos and congestion of Thug’s mental state as he begins to unravel.
Allston’s urban energy was ideal for scenes involving confrontation, car sequences, and the more fast-paced aspects of the story.
WINTHROP, MASSACHUSETTS
A large portion of the movie was shot in Winthrop, a quiet town situated across the harbor from Logan Airport. Liam Neeson was seen filming near Foam Street and Grand View Avenue in October 2022. In the background—you could see the skyline of Boston and Logan Airport.
Winthrop provided a peaceful background. This is where Thug’s rental house was located. It is a big one that is falling apart. The scenes of solitude, drinking bourbon, and hallucinations of Thug’s dead father were all filmed in Winthrop. Its quiet streets and waterfront views give the film its sense of melancholy isolation.
Local residents received filming notices earlier in October, informing them about parking restrictions and identifying the project as “Thug”—the film’s working title.
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS
The final leg of the shoot took place in Norwood, a town southwest of Boston. One key location was the Governor Allen Mansion, a historic estate used to depict upscale mob dealings or perhaps scenes involving Charlie Conner’s luxurious underworld life.
This grand architectural setting offered visual contrast to Thug’s worn-down world and was likely used to showcase the lifestyle he gave up—or never had access to.
ABSOLUTION (2024) MOVIE STORY EXPLAINED
In the gritty 2024 crime drama ABSOLUTION, Liam Neeson stars as a man known only as Thug, a former boxer who now spends his days working as a ruthless enforcer for Boston crime boss Charlie Conner (played by Ron Perlman) and Charlie’s impulsive son Kyle (Daniel Diemer). Residing alone in a working-class neighborhood, Thug leads a life filled with routine violence and solitude—until an unexpected encounter shifts his trajectory.
One night at a bar, Thug intervenes in a violent altercation and knocks out an abusive man. The woman he helps, referred to only as Woman (Yolanda Ross), becomes an unexpected presence in his life. Thug feels a spark of humanity when they talk, something that has been buried under years of violence and regret.
Not long after that, Thug starts having scary mental slip-ups. He goes to the doctor because he is worried and gets a terrible diagnosis: he has advanced Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease that gets worse over time and is often caused by repeated blows to the head. He’s told he has about two years left—likely less—before his condition fully deteriorates. The diagnosis acts as a wake-up call, and following a failed suicide attempt, Thug sets out on a path toward redemption.
Haunted by his past, he decides to make amends—especially with the two children he walked out on years ago. He finds his daughter Daisy (Frankie Shaw), but the whole thing doesn’t look good. She doesn’t want to talk to him because she’s still mad about how long he’s been gone. She also says that she’s about to lose the house where she’s living alone with her two kids. Even though Daisy tells Thug to stay away from his young grandson Terrence Pulliam, he tries to get to know him.
Meanwhile, his criminal duties continue. During a routine delivery for Charlie Conner, Thug stumbles upon a human trafficking operation. He is shocked and upset, so he quietly starts making plans to free Marisela (Deanna Tarraza), one of the victims who is being held against her will. This mission gives him a new sense of purpose, which makes his last days feel more important.
But his chance to change is harmed when someone puts a hit on his life. A job goes wrong, and it becomes clear that someone close to him wants him dead. As Thug navigates this betrayal, he also begins to have hallucinations of his long-dead father—a man whose own pattern of neglect left deep emotional scars and, perhaps, influenced Thug’s own failures as a parent.
The story builds to a long, violent night in which all the major threads of Thug’s life come to a head: his attempt to free Marisela, protect his family, find peace with his past, and survive the threats closing in on him. Through a mix of action and emotional confrontation, Thug is forced to face who he was—and what he might still become before it’s too late.
FINAL THOUGHTS
From the urban grit of Allston to the quiet isolation of Winthrop, the filming locations of Absolution were carefully selected to reflect the emotional layers of its main character. The Massachusetts settings not only provided aesthetic diversity but also reinforced the film’s themes of memory, regret, and fleeting redemption.
The decision to shoot in Boston, despite original plans for Los Angeles, speaks volumes about the filmmakers’ dedication to grounding this story in a place that feels both weathered and alive—just like Thug himself.
ABSOLUTION (2024) OFFICIAL TRAILER
Stay tuned to netfilming.com for more news, updates, and in-depth coverage of TV Series.
Grantchester Season 10 Filming Locations: Where The Vicar-detective Mystery Drama Was Shot
