Lionsgate’s KAROSHI is a unique action-thriller movie because it combines corporate suspense with samurai intensity in a world that looks great and has a lot of Japanese influences. Karoshi is one of the most anticipated thrillers of 2025. With production led by 87Eleven (the team behind John Wick) and Lionsgate—it’s no surprise that the project has chosen some of British Columbia’s most striking urban and architectural spots as its backdrop.
Let’s take a closer look at where Karoshi is filming — and who’s been spotted on set.
WHAT IS KAROSHI ABOUT?
The film is described as a corporate action thriller with a samurai twist, set in a reimagined, Japanese-styled New York City. The word “karoshi” in Japanese refers to death from overwork — a relevant theme in this intense revenge-driven story.
The cast features Teo Yoo, Cynthia Erivo, Isabel May, Takehiro Hira, and Giancarlo Esposito, all playing roles that seem to blend the sleek world of high-rise boardrooms with ancient warrior codes.
WHERE WAS KAROSHI FILMED?
Karoshi began filming in June 2025 across British Columbia, Canada, including Vancouver’s Chinatown and Gastown, BCIT in Richmond, and the Tea House set at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.
Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, BC
One of the most eye-catching sets built for Karoshi is the Tea House set at Simon Fraser University. Designed with a traditional Japanese flair, the set includes a fake cherry blossom tree, which brings the aesthetic of Tokyo’s gardens into British Columbia.
Filming has taken place on campus multiple times — July 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 17th, and 23rd. Fans spotted stars Cynthia Erivo, Isabel May, and Takehiro Hira at this location during these shoots. The modern concrete architecture of the university offered a perfect blend of old-world meets new-world — aligning well with the film’s East-meets-West theme.
Chinatown – 35 East Pender Street, Vancouver
Very cool set – can confirm Cynthia Erivo was there tonight! pic.twitter.com/GcY6jr4cJn
— CathDoll (@cathdoll1) July 5, 2025
The inner courtyard at 35 East Pender Street in Vancouver’s Chinatown was one of the first locations used during principal photography. A filming notice confirmed activity in the area, likely serving as a stylized backdrop for street-level scenes or corporate building exteriors in the Japanese-influenced city.
300 Block West Cordova Street – Gastown
Karoshi also filmed on the 300 block of West Cordova Street in Gastown, another historical and photogenic Vancouver neighborhood. The filming took place on June 13th, transforming the cobblestone streets into a sleek urban landscape.
BCIT Aerospace Campus – Richmond, BC
On June 25th, Karoshi moved to the BCIT Aerospace Campus in Richmond, where Cynthia Erivo was once again spotted on set. The technical campus likely stands in for high-tech corporate interiors or an airport terminal sequence — both common elements in action thrillers.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Director Takashi Doscher, known for blending emotion with tension, is filming Karoshi from his own original script. That gives the production a unified creative vision, which is expected to translate into something visually fresh and narratively unique. The Tea House set, complete with its artificial cherry blossom, suggests a strong visual commitment to stylization — a likely nod to the cultural and thematic weight of the samurai influence.
Stay tuned to Netfilming.com for more filming location updates, behind-the-scenes insights and production news on movies and beyond.
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