Netflix’s action-packed thriller Havoc, directed by Gareth Evans, has captivated audiences with its intense storyline and gritty visuals. At NetFilming, we dive into the Havoc filming locations to uncover where this cinematic gem was brought to life. While the movie unfolds in a fictional American city, all scenes were filmed in Wales, United Kingdom. From Cardiff’s bustling streets to Swansea’s historic halls, the Welsh landscape was transformed to depict a wintry, crime-ridden metropolis. This article explores the key Havoc filming locations, offering insights into how Wales became the backdrop for this Netflix blockbuster.
What is Havoc About?
Havoc is a 2025 action thriller written and directed by Gareth Evans, known for his work on The Raid and The Raid 2. The film stars Tom Hardy as Walker, a tough homicide detective tasked with rescuing a politician’s estranged son after a botched drug deal sparks a gang war. As Walker navigates the city’s criminal underworld, he uncovers a web of corruption and conspiracy that threatens to engulf him. The story blends intense action with a neo-noir vibe, drawing inspiration from Hong Kong action cinema and 1970s Hollywood crime thrillers. Alongside Hardy, the cast features Forest Whitaker, Timothy Olyphant, Jessie Mei Li, and Luis Guzmán, delivering gripping performances.
Where was Havoc filmed?
Havoc was filmed entirely in Wales, UK, with key locations in Cardiff, Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Barry, and Sully transformed to depict a gritty American city. The production took place between July 8 and October 22, 2021, with post-production and reshoots also completed in Cardiff. According to Netflix and Creative Wales, Havoc is the largest feature film ever shot entirely in Wales, contributing significantly to the local economy. Below are the key filming locations in Wales:
Cardiff, Wales
Cardiff, the capital of Wales, served as the primary filming hub for Havoc. The city’s mix of modern and historic sites provided versatile backdrops for both indoor and outdoor scenes.
Great Point Studios and Dragon Studios
Many indoor scenes featuring shady characters and intense dialogues were filmed at Great Point Studios (formerly Pinewood Studio Wales) on Wentloog Avenue and Dragon Studios in Bridgend. These state-of-the-art facilities allowed the crew to construct detailed sets, including interiors mimicking a decaying American city. Green screens were used for car chase sequences, later enhanced with digital effects to create a seamless urban environment.
Bute Street in Cardiff Bay
Bute Street, connecting Cardiff Bay to the city center, was transformed into a snowy American boulevard. From September 27 to 30, 2021, the crew used fake snow, American road signs, and police cars to set the scene. Structures resembling bridge bases were built near the Customs House at 56 Bute Street, while the nearby Corys Building and a car park were used for additional sets. Large blue screens were digitally altered in post-production to complete the American aesthetic. Netflix informed local residents and businesses about the four-night shoot to minimize disruptions.
Pierhead Building
The iconic Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, a Grade I listed structure built in 1897, was used for several key scenes. Its grand interiors added a sense of authority and tension to the narrative. Previously featured in Doctor Who, this historic site enhanced the film’s moody atmosphere.
Associated British Port
The Associated British Port at Queen Alexandra House in Cardiff Bay served as a setting for scenes involving illegal activities. This working port, used for cargo and passenger ships, provided an industrial backdrop that underscored the film’s gritty underworld.
Trade Street and Crockherbtown Lane
To maintain the American feel, the crew filmed on Trade Street, a short walk from Cardiff Central Station, and Crockherbtown Lane, near Park Place. These streets’ stark, unadorned appearances amplified the story’s sense of isolation, making them perfect for depicting a crime-ridden city.
Post-Production in Cardiff
Cardiff also hosted extensive post-production work. Visual effects teams transformed Welsh streets into American cityscapes, adding digital skyscrapers and urban details to complete the illusion.
Swansea, Wales
Swansea, Wales’ second-largest city, played a significant role in Havoc’s production, offering historic and urban locations that enriched the film’s aesthetic.
Swansea Guildhall
The Swansea Guildhall, a neoclassical Grade I listed building, doubled as a U.S. police station. Its imposing architecture and cold interiors set the tone for scenes involving law enforcement, reinforcing the film’s unemotional mood.
Brangwyn Hall
The exterior of Brangwyn Hall on Guildhall Road South was used to depict the outside of the police precinct. This concert venue, named after artist Frank Brangwyn, added a semi-urban vibe to the film. The surrounding area was dressed with American props to maintain consistency.
Swansea University
Swansea University’s Singleton Park and Bay Campus were used for exterior shots, including a dramatic ambush scene. The modern campus provided a contrasting backdrop to the film’s urban settings, highlighting key action sequences.
The Strand and Nearby Areas
The Strand, a historic road in Swansea, was used for additional filming on July 11 and 12, 2024. Traffic management ensured smooth operations during the shoot. Nearby locations, including the Kon-Tiki Bar, Bonnie Rogues pub (formerly Proud Mary), and the Evening Post Cambrian House, served as backdrops for scenes depicting the city’s criminal underworld.
Port Talbot, Wales
In Port Talbot, the crew filmed the movie’s climax at a rail yard, chosen for its American-looking lumber yard with logs on trains. “It didn’t feel stereotypically Welsh, which was perfect,” Evans told the BBC. This industrial setting provided a stark, dramatic backdrop for the film’s final showdown, contrasting with the urban scenes shot in Cardiff and Swansea.
Baglan Train Station
The Baglan Train Station, part of Port Talbot, was another key location for the climax. Opened in 1996, this modern station offered a mix of urban and rural elements, with surrounding hills adding visual depth. The choice of this site highlighted the film’s peak moment, giving viewers a memorable setting.
Bridgend: Rural and Studio Settings
Bridgend contributed both studio and outdoor locations to Havoc. Dragon Studios in Pencoed was used for indoor scenes, building on its history with shows like Doctor Who and Merlin. For a rural contrast, the crew filmed at Candleston Woods in Merthyr Mawr, constructing a fishing shack to depict a quieter, isolated setting. This shift from urban to rural aesthetics added variety to the film’s visual palette.
Barry Island: A Coastal Backdrop
The Barry Island Pleasure Park, located in the Vale of Glamorgan, was used for outdoor scenes. Established in 1897, this historic amusement park provided a lively yet gritty setting. Reports suggest that Tom Hardy, the film’s lead, found respite at the park during breaks, adding a personal touch to the location’s significance.
Sully: A Picturesque Village
The village of Sully in the Vale of Glamorgan was used for residential scenes, particularly along Lynmouth Drive overlooking Sully Bay. Just seven miles from Cardiff, Sully’s quaint charm, including landmarks like St John Baptist Church and the fossil-rich Bendricks coastline, added a suburban layer to the film. Its appearance in Gavin & Stacey underscores its appeal as a filming location.
How Havoc Transformed Wales into America
The transformation of Wales into a U.S. city involved meticulous planning. Set designers used American props like police cars, fire engines, and road signs, while fake snow created a wintry atmosphere. Post-production teams added digital skyscrapers and urban details, ensuring that locations like Bute Street and the Strand felt authentically American. This blend of practical and digital effects made Havoc a visual triumph.
Havoc Behind The Scenes
Filming began in July 2021 and wrapped in October 2021, with reshoots in July 2024, delayed by the pandemic and 2023 writers’ strike. Gareth Evans, a Welsh native, chose Wales for its versatility and personal connection. “I wanted to find bits of architecture that could pass as Americana,” Evans told the BBC, highlighting his search across Cardiff, Swansea, and Port Talbot.
The crew’s dedication was praised by producer Aram Tertzakian, who noted, “The Welsh team showed incredible love for the craft.” Local crews, supported by Creative Wales, worked tirelessly, using fake snow, American props, and digital effects to create a gritty urban aesthetic. Tom Hardy’s commitment to the role of Walker shone through, with reports of him bonding with locals at Barry Island. The production’s £200 million economic boost to the UK underscored its scale, making Havoc a landmark project for Welsh filmmaking.
Have you visited any of these locations, or are you planning to watch Havoc? Let us know in the comments!
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