David Benullo directs Lifetime’s newest thriller, “Girl Who Vanished,” which is full of suspense, mystery and family drama. The movie is about reunion and hidden truths. The story follows the Tanner family as their long-lost daughter Emily unexpectedly returns after years of kidnapping. Matt and Kate Tanner are happy to have their daughter, Lily, back, but she starts to notice strange behaviour and events that make her uneasy. This makes her wonder if Emily is really who she says she is or if the Tanner family’s past still holds dangerous secrets.
If you’re interested in the movie’s setting, the dark visuals and tense family setting are very similar to where it was actually filmed. In this NetFilming article, we discuss the filming locations for Girl Who Vanished, the cast, and significant production details.
Where Was Girl Who Vanished Filmed?
The movie was filmed entirely in Kentucky, with Shelbyville serving as the central location. Shooting took place in September 2024, wrapping up within a couple of weeks. Much of the production was centred around a private residence that doubled as the Tanner family’s home.
Rylee Reagan, the lead actress, even said how excited she was after the project was over and thanked the cast, crew, and director David Benullo. She talked about how much she learnt during the two-week shoot and called the team amazing. This look behind the scenes shows how quickly the project came together without losing quality.
Shelbyville, KY
The county seat of Shelby County, Shelbyville, was a big part of making the movie’s creepy but realistic atmosphere. The movie looks like it was filmed in a small town because it uses real neighbourhoods, streets, and outdoor areas for important scenes. The Tanner home in Shelbyville, Indiana, was the main setting for most of the story.
Trivia: Shelbyville has appeared in several other film and TV projects, such as Lethal Desire, Sheba, Baby, Hindsight 2020 and Reaper of the Soul.
Cast Details
The cast performances are a big part of what makes Girl Who Vanished so good. There are both new and familiar faces that add to the suspense.
- Isabella Carlsen (Emily Tanner): Isabella, the abducted daughter who mysteriously comes back. She gives the role a lot of depth. She has a BFA in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts and has also studied at the Vagabond School of the Arts and the Acting Studio of Chicago.
- Rylee Reagan (Lily Tanner) – Playing the skeptical sister, Rylee delivers a strong performance. Beyond acting, she has written short films such as The Yellow Room and Where Flowers Won’t Grow.
- Chelsea Gilson (Kate Tanner) – Chelsea portrays the Tanner matriarch. Known for her versatile roles, she has worked in both TV movies and indie films.
- Matt Tanner plays Jon Eric Hoffman – As the father of Tanner, Jon Eric Hoffman adds depth to the family dynamic by balancing hope and doubt.
- Phil Talamonti (John Norris) – His layered performance adds more tension to the story.
- Supporting roles also include Alfred Lamar (Officer Bowen), Lisha Hackney (Dr. Salazar), and Jessica DeBonville (Naomi).
Girl Who Vanished Behind The Scenes
“Girl Who Vanished” directed by David Benullo, the film came together in just two weeks during September 2024, right in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The tight schedule required everyone to remain alert, transforming a local home into the eerie Tanner family residence. The team worked long hours to get the thriller’s tense scenes, like the strange things that make Lily question her sister’s return. It wasn’t all stress, though—actress Rylee Reagan shared how much fun they had.
On social media, she posted, “So grateful for this talented cast & crew, thank you all for being so kind to me..I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with. Everyone was absolutely phenomenal!! & a huge thank you to our director @davidbenullo!! You’ve taught me so much these past two weeks! Such an honor to work with you all.” Her words show the strong bond that formed on set.
Benullo, known for his work on other thrillers, focused on building real suspense through everyday settings. He chose Shelbyville for its quiet, small-town feel, which added to the story’s creepy vibe.
Isabella Carlsen, who plays a key role, brought her acting training to life, helping create those emotional family scenes. The quick shoot tested everyone, but it paid off in a movie full of twists. Fans love hearing these stories because they reveal how a simple location can turn into something thrilling.
For more insights on movie filming locations and cast breakdowns, keep following NetFilming.
Read More: Where Was Lifetime’s Sugar Mama Filmed? All Filming Locations
