Kill Giggles, the 2020 independent horror-thriller, flips the typical fear of clowns on its head. Instead of a killer clown, this time the clowns are the victims. The film follows the disturbing journey of Tommy dos Santos, a man so tormented by coulrophobia (fear of clowns) that he begins a violent mission to eliminate them all. Directed by Jaysen Buterin and starring Michael Ray Williams and Ellie Church, Kill Giggles is a psychological horror that digs deep into personal fears and trauma. The move is set to release on August 26th, 2025.
While the concept itself is enough to catch attention, it’s the filming locations that really give the film its unique identity. Shot entirely in North Carolina, the movie offers a gritty, authentic backdrop that enhances its eerie and suspenseful tone. Let’s take a look at where Kill Giggles was filmed and how the filmmakers used local scenery to bring this chilling story to life.
When and Where Was ‘Kill Giggles’ Filmed?
The principal photography for Kill Giggles took place from June 17 to July 15, 2019, across 36 different locations in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. In just 20 days, the production managed to shoot 148 scenes with a crew of around 25 people.
Director Jaysen Buterin described the experience as “making movie magic.” He and his team took on the challenge of filming in varied settings, including ghost malls, haunted hospitals, historic theaters, and vibrant downtown areas. Each location was chosen carefully to match the film’s unsettling tone and to reflect the psychological state of its lead character.
Main Filming Locations in North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
The heart of the production was Greensboro, the largest city in the Piedmont Triad. Not only was it the home base for many of the cast and crew, but it also provided diverse backdrops for some of the movie’s most intense sequences. Historic buildings, urban landscapes, and abandoned sites in Greensboro gave the film a haunting atmosphere.
High Point, North Carolina
Just a short drive from Greensboro, High Point was another key location. Known for its furniture industry and classic architecture, this city’s quieter areas provided intimate and eerie settings perfect for the thriller’s psychological elements.
Eden, North Carolina
The small city of Eden added a rural charm and stillness that contrasted sharply with the violent story. Its empty spaces and isolated roads helped intensify the suspenseful feel of many scenes.
Yadkinville, North Carolina
Yadkinville, a small town with deep Southern roots, was used to film some of the exterior scenes. Its traditional look helped set the tone for Tommy’s complex character and backstory.
Jamestown, North Carolina
This lesser-known location brought in a quiet, suburban backdrop, with several houses and neighborhood scenes filmed here. It gave the film a slice of Americana, soon twisted by the dark narrative.
What Made These Locations Special?
The filmmakers didn’t rely on big studio sets. Instead, they transformed real locations across North Carolina to match the script’s unsettling demands. These included:
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A ghost mall, used for some of the film’s most haunting sequences.
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A haunted hospital, which brought a chilling realism to the psychological horror.
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Theatres and urban streets, turning everyday spaces into scenes of fear and chaos.
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An old rodeo setup, where one of the movie’s most talked-about scenes—a clown being drawn and quartered—was shot (with no animals harmed, of course).
According to Buterin, this diversity in locations helped keep the shoot dynamic and the visuals compelling. It also gave the film a homegrown authenticity that major studio productions sometimes miss.
Community Support and Local Talent
The film was not just shot in North Carolina—it was built by North Carolinians. Local talent filled both cast and crew roles. Lead actor Michael Ray Williams hails from the area, and many others involved in the film were deeply rooted in the state’s indie film scene.
From the early days of the short film Killing Giggles in 2017 to the feature’s completion, the team leaned on the strong filmmaking community across the Piedmont Triad. Local support, along with contributions from international partners like Cubic7 Productions (UK), made this dream project possible.
For more updates on filming locations and TV production news, visit netfilming.com – your go-to source for everything behind the scenes.
