The action-packed sci-fi movie Afterburn, which is based on the Red 5 comic book series and directed by J.J. Perry, is set to come out on August 22, 2025. The movie is about Jake, a former soldier who now looks for treasure. It stars Dave Bautista, Samuel L. Jackson, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt, Kristofer Hivju, and Eden Epstein, among others. After a devastating solar flare destroys half the planet, Jake ventures into a ruined Europe on a dangerous quest to recover the Mona Lisa—only to discover a much greater mission waiting for him.
Where Was Afterburn Filmed?
Afterburn’s principal photography started in early May 2024 and ended in late June of the same year. As of June 25, 2024, director J.J. Perry confirmed that filming was over. The production was mostly based in Slovakia, mostly in and around Bratislava. The grim, post-apocalyptic setting was brought to life with real-life locations.
Slovakia served as the ideal backdrop for Afterburn, thanks to its combination of abandoned industrial sites, ancient architecture, and versatile landscapes. The Slovak Film Commission confirmed that the shoot lasted around two months, with the local production services handled by Monsters Films, s.r.o. The budget for the movie is thought to be 104 million euros, with the Slovak Audiovisual Fund giving 16.2 million euros in grants.
Here are some of the most interesting places where Afterburn was filmed that helped create its unique look.
Bratislava, Slovakia
The film was mostly shot in and around Bratislava, which is the capital of Slovakia. Bratislava’s historic streets, industrial areas, and stark contrasts between old-world charm and modern infrastructure made it easy for the filmmakers to shoot a wide range of scenes without having to go far.
Movie stars have been to Bratislava before. The city has been the setting for big films like “Red Sparrow” and “Chernobyl,” an HBO miniseries. For the movie Afterburn, Bratislava was turned into a crumbling European wasteland, which helped the film’s scorched-earth setting feel more real.
Abandoned Nickel Smelter – Sered, Slovakia
An old nickel smelter in Sered, a small town just outside of Bratislava, was one of the most interesting and atmospheric places to film. This place was used to film the “Burn Zone,” a dangerous area that Jake has to go through in the movie. Its naturally worn-down, industrial look made it a great choice for a background in a post-apocalyptic world.
To make the setting feel even more dystopian, creepy things like bones tied to fences and rubber heads cut off were used during filming. Here was filmed a major action scene called “War Train,” which included a big gun battle, real explosions, and a dangerous train chase. The set was full of explosive energy, and director J.J. Perry led the intense action with grit and accuracy.
Holic Castle – Holic, Slovakia
Holic Castle, which is in the town of Holic near the border with Czech Republic, was also used for filming. The castle, which was built hundreds of years ago, gave the movie a unique historical weight. It was also probably used to show one of the story’s power centres or hidden locations related to the treasure hunt.
The old stone walls, grand halls, and moody atmosphere of the castle made it stand out from the movie’s more modern or broken-down settings. It may have been a base or hiding place for one of the characters. Its classic style fits right in with a world that is torn between the past and the future.
Slovakia’s Growing Role in Global Filmmaking
International productions with a lot of people are choosing Slovakia more and more. It gives filmmakers creative freedom and logistical support by having cheap locations, skilled crews, and a wide range of locations. If Afterburn does well, it could make the country an even more popular place to film.
The head of the Slovak Film Commission, Zuzana Bieliková, said that the project made the local film industry very busy. Slovakia’s castles, factories, and other sights made for a rich, immersive setting for Afterburn.
Director of Photography Jose Montero and stunt coordinator Felix Betancourt were spotted using the original Red 5 comic books on set to guide the film’s tone and action scenes.
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