Where was Don't Breathe filmed?
2016
City Locations
Pomáz (Hungary), Budapest (Hungary), Detroit (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, House, Museum
Location Styles
Modern Building
About Don't Breathe
Don't Breathe is a 2016 horror-thriller film that follows three friends who are desperate for money and decide to break into a blind man’s home. Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, and Stephen Lang star in this thrilling project produced by Ghost House Pictures and Good Universe.
The story begins with the friends deciding to rob the blind man's house in order to take his hidden fortune, not knowing what kind of danger awaits them. Though it starts as an easy job, things quickly turn dark when they discover the terrifying truth inside and soon find themselves fighting for survival against a ruthless adversary.
Directed by Fede Álvarez, Don't Breathe is full of suspenseful moments as the trio fights to escape from the blind man's clutches alive. Through its smart use of sound design, realistic characters, and thrilling plot points, Don't Breathe has been praised by both critics and audiences for delivering a gripping experience. It is one of those rare films that manages to be both intellectually stimulating and terrifying at the same time.
Don't Breathe Locations
The 2016 horror thriller Don't Breathe is an intense and thrilling story that takes place in the city of Detroit. Although the majority of filming occurred in Hungary, there are a few scenes that were filmed in Detroit.
Visitors who want to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Don’t Breathe fleming location are in for a cultural blend. The Hungarian scenery gives the backdrop to much of the film's action.
The region provides an old-world charm with its cobblestone streets, rustic buildings, and picturesque city squares; this is accentuated by nearby landmarks such as the Danube River and St Stephens Basilica. The city also has many beautiful parks and gardens which provided a peaceful contrast to some of the more suspenseful scenes in the movie.
Visiting Hungary would certainly be a worthwhile experience for fans of the movie who want to get deeper into its world. It could be rewarding to explore the same places where some of your favorite moments from the film occurred while immersing yourself in local culture. With an endless list of activities available within this region alone, Hungary easily offers up something fun for every type of traveler.
Fun Facts:
Don't Breathe was originally titled A Man in The Dark but was later changed to better reflect its narrative themes. It was also director Álvarez's intention to create a horror-thriller with little blood involved or supernatural elements included which makes this movie unique in comparison to his other works such as Evil Dead.
Meeting the trio scene in Don't Breathe
2488 Buena Vista St, Detroit, MI 48238, USA
Three Detroit troublemakers, Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex (Dylan Minnette), and Money (Daniel Zovatto), earn their keep by breaking into homes and stealing valuable items. Rocky dreams of relocating to California with her younger sister, Diddy (Emma Bercovici), to escape their abusive mother and her alcoholic partner. However, the trio becomes increasingly frustrated when they realize that their fence consistently undervalues the items they steal.
Buena Vista Street is a residential street located in Detroit, Michigan. The street houses a diverse community of residents and features a mix of single-family homes and multi-family buildings.
In the early 20th century, the area was home to a thriving industrial sector, with factories and warehouses lining the streets. In recent years, there have been efforts to revitalize the area and bring new life to the neighborhood.
Local organizations and community groups have worked together to beautify the streets with street art and community gardens, while new businesses and restaurants have opened up to serve residents and visitors.
If you're using public transportation, use the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus system. Take bus route 16 (Dexter) towards E. Jefferson & Alter, and get off at the Dexter & Buena Vista stop. From there, walk east on Buena Vista St until you reach 2488 Buena Vista St.
Trio spying on Norman's house scene in Don't Breathe
Nagyvásártelep, Budapest, 1095 Hungary
Reports state that Norman (Stephen Lang) received a compensation package following the death of his daughter in a car accident caused by Cindy Roberts (Franciska Törőcsik), who is a wealthy young woman. After surveilling the residence, they discover that Norman is visually impaired.
Nagyvásártelep is a historic area located in Budapest, Hungary. The name translates to "Great Market Hall," and it has long played an important role in the city's commerce and trade. Established in the early 20th century, Nagyvásártelep was once the central hub for the city's food and beverage industry, with numerous warehouses, factories, and other industrial structures dotting the area.
One of the most prominent landmarks in Nagyvásártelep is the Great Market Hall, a massive indoor market that dates back to the early 20th century. Here, visitors can browse a wide variety of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Take the metro line M3 towards Kőbánya-Kispest and get off at the Nagyvárad tér station. From there, hop on tram line 24 towards Budafok or bus line 23 towards Gubacsi út to reach Nagyvásártelep.
Alternatively, take the bus line 99 towards Budapest-Nagyvásártelep Állomás or the bus line 23E towards Bocskai út to reach Nagyvásártelep directly.
The trio breaks into the house scene in Don't Breathe
Stern Film Studio, Pomáz, Bihari János u. 1, 2013 Hungary
Under the cover of darkness, the gang approaches the house and proceeds to drug Nordstrom's rottweiler. They then gain entry by breaking in and Money places a bottle of sleeping gas in Nordstrom's bedroom.
Upon encountering a locked basement door, Money surmises that the loot must be concealed inside and resorts to shooting the lock to gain access. The commotion awakens Nordstrom, who manages to overpower Money, seize his firearm, and subsequently use it to take his life, all while Rocky looks on in silence.
Stern Film Studio is a renowned production facility located in Pomáz, Hungary, and has been the backdrop for numerous film productions over the years. Situated in a former textile factory, the studio has been transformed into a top-tier facility featuring soundstages, production offices, and a post-production suite.
Apart from being a go-to location for film and television productions in Hungary, Stern Film Studio also hosts several notable events throughout the year. For instance, the studio is the venue for the LA Pride Parade, which takes place along the street every June, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world who come to celebrate diversity and equality.
If you have access to a car, you can reach Pomáz by taking the M2 highway from Budapest towards Vác. After passing through Vác, take Route 12 and follow the signs to Pomáz.
Conclusion
The 2016 horror-thriller film 'Don't Breathe' tells the story of a trio of thieves hoping to escape with a massive fortune. The majority of the movie is set in Detroit, but it was actually filmed in Hungary, with only a few brief views of the city captured.
This allowed for a great range of locations to be used throughout the movie, from hauntingly empty alleyways and backstreets to dark and menacing underground parking lots and abandoned warehouses. The Hungarian landscapes also provided an ideal backdrop for some of the more intense scenes as well as adding an extra element of spookiness which was heightened by its eerie solitude.
Even though much of the filming took place abroad, this didn't detract from the audience's experience or connection to the story as it still managed to capture Detroit's grittiness and suspenseful atmosphere throughout. All in all, Don't Breathe serves as an example of how cinematic brilliance can transcend location boundaries without sacrificing quality.