The Strangers – Chapter 2 is the newest scary movie in the rebooted horror series. It will be in theatres on September 26, 2025. Renny Harlin, a veteran action-horror director, continues the story of Maya (played by Madelaine Petsch) right after what happened in Chapter 1. The infamous masked intruders—Man in the Mask, Dollface, and Pin-Up Girl—torment her mentally and physically even more.
Chapter 2 is the second part of a new trilogy and the fourth movie in The Strangers series. It shows how Maya managed to stay alive for four terrifying days. The producers chose Bratislava, Slovakia, as the main filming location because it had a strong storyline and realistic visuals. This choice had a big impact on how the whole trilogy looked and felt.
Where Was The Strangers – Chapter 2 Filmed?
The production for Chapter 2 was part of a massive 52-day shoot that ran from August 29 to October 28, 2022. Director Renny Harlin made the ambitious choice to film all three chapters of the trilogy back-to-back in Slovakia, using locations across Bratislava and its outskirts to create a hauntingly realistic atmosphere.
1. Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, had the perfect mix of cheap prices, a lot of different things to do, and a creepy look. From empty hospitals to quiet neighbourhoods in the suburbs, the city gave the horror a wide range of settings.
“We didn’t want to film on studio sets,” said Harlin in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “The key for us was always to keep that sense of reality. The idea is that this is all happening in a normal American town, and any one of us could end up here on any given day if we just take the wrong turn.”
This commitment to realism influenced every location choice in the production.
Key Filming Locations in The Strangers – Chapter 2
Elephant Diner – Púchovská 12, Rača District, Bratislava
Used as: Carol’s Diner
One of the standout locations, this local diner in the Rača district was transformed into “Carol’s Diner,” a key spot in the storyline. The exterior and interior shots created a gritty roadside aesthetic perfect for a cross-country horror narrative. With its neon glow and old-school design, Elephant Diner was chosen for its Americana-style ambience that fit seamlessly into the film’s midwestern horror tone.
According to production crew, the diner hosted scenes from all three chapters. Filming often switched between movies during the same day. “Monday morning we’d be shooting Chapter 3, by the afternoon it was Chapter 1. It was wild,” Harlin recalled.
Opustená Vojenská Nemocnica Patrónka – Abandoned Military Hospital, Bratislava
Used as: An eerie hospital setting
This massive abandoned hospital complex, hidden within the Patrónka area of Bratislava, served as one of the film’s darkest and most atmospheric locations. The long, decaying hallways and graffiti-covered walls created a chilling backdrop for some of the trilogy’s most intense scenes.
The location became vital in reflecting Maya’s deteriorating psychological state. “It was almost like the building was alive,” said Madelaine Petsch during a press Q&A. “Just being there, without the cameras rolling, already made your skin crawl.”
Harlin’s Logistical Challenge: Filming Three Movies, One Country
Choosing Slovakia wasn’t just about visuals—it was about efficiency. Shooting three full-length features in less than two months required tight planning. The team used each location to the fullest, capturing scenes for multiple chapters during the same visit. This approach minimized setup time and travel, but demanded immense coordination.
“We charted every emotional beat of the characters across four-and-a-half hours of story,” Harlin said. “From zero to ten, we tracked where they should be emotionally in every scene. It was like war planning, but it was the only way to keep track of who was bleeding, who was hopeful, and who was already broken.”
Why Slovakia?
While Bratislava might seem like an unconventional choice for an American-set slasher film, the city has quietly become a popular filming hub for international productions. Slovakia offers a range of tax incentives, skilled local crews, and a wide variety of locations—from lush forests to industrial ruins—that can double as small-town America.
“Slovakia gave us everything,” producer Courtney Solomon noted. “We could shoot dense forests one day, then a small-town diner the next, and an abandoned hospital the day after. And all of it looked like it could be in Oregon or Kentucky.”
The haunting atmosphere of the Slovakian forests also plays a critical role in Chapter 2, as Maya finds herself hunted beyond the confines of her Airbnb. These woodland scenes were filmed during long overnight shoots, adding another layer of realism.
“There were nights we’d be in the forest, with fog and just a headlamp, and it felt like we were actually being stalked,” said actor Froy Gutierrez, who plays Ryan. “It didn’t take much to get into character out there.”
Set Design: Keeping It Real
Rather than rely heavily on green screen or soundstage trickery, Chapter 2 leans into practical effects and location-based sets. According to production designer, all interiors were shot on location or built inside abandoned buildings in and around Bratislava.
The Airbnb in the film—a central location where much of the terror unfolds—was an actual rented home in the outskirts of the city. Its isolated placement, creaky wooden floors, and dimly lit interiors provided an unsettling natural environment.
“We found the perfect house,” Harlin said. “It wasn’t just a filming spot. It was a character in the film. Every creak, every shadow added to the realism.”
Behind-the-Scenes Atmosphere
Despite the horror themes, the set environment was a mix of intensity and camaraderie. The cast and crew adapted quickly to the demanding schedule.
“The emotional toll was high, especially for the actors,” Harlin shared. “They’d go from screaming in terror in one scene to playing a peaceful couple in another—sometimes within the same day.”
Madelaine Petsch, the trilogy’s lead, described the shoot as the most challenging of her career. “We had to keep track of where Maya was emotionally at every moment. I’d sometimes finish a take and ask, ‘What chapter are we in again?’” she laughed.
A New Chapter in Horror Filmmaking
With Slovakia standing in as the quiet American heartland, The Strangers – Chapter 2 proves that location can elevate storytelling. Harlin’s decision to film outside Hollywood not only brought visual authenticity but also allowed the production to remain flexible and cost-effective.
The decision to base the trilogy’s visual identity in real, accessible environments reflects the director’s commitment to fear grounded in reality. “We’re not trying to scare you with special effects,” Harlin said. “We want the audience to think: ‘This could happen to me.’ That’s real terror.”
As the release date approaches, horror fans can expect a terrifying, grounded continuation of Maya’s nightmare—one that stretches far beyond the walls of an Airbnb and deep into the forests and forgotten corners of Slovakia.
Official Trailer
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