New horror movie ‘Passenger’ filmed in 5 Washington counties. Learn where
A new horror movie has a familiar backdrop: the Pacific Northwest.
“Passenger” is set to released in theaters on Friday, May 22.
It’s the first movie filmed in Washington state to hit local screens since Academy Award nominee “Train Dreams” was released in November.
Here’s what to know:
What is horror movie ‘Passenger’?
According to the official synopsis, “Passenger” follows a young couple who witness a “gruesome highway accident.”
“They soon realize they did not leave the crash scene alone,” the synopsis says. “A demonic presence called the Passenger won’t stop until it claims them both.”
The film is directed by Norwegian filmmaker André Øvredal, who previously helmed “Troll Hunter,” “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark” and “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.”
Oscar winner Melissa Leo stars in the movie alongside Lou Llobell and Jacob Scipio.
Leo, who won an Academy Award for her role in “The Fighter,” is known for movies and TV shows including “The Equalizer,”“Frozen River,” “Prisoners” and “I’m Dying Up Here.”
Where was new Melissa Leo movie filmed?
According to Sherrye Wyatt, a film liaison for Washington Filmworks, production on “Passenger” took place over 34 days across five counties in Washington state:
- Chelan
- Douglas
- Grays Harbor
- King
- Kittitas
About 53% of filming took place in rural parts of the Evergreen State, Wyatt said.
How did movie shoot impact local economy?
The Paramount Pictures production created a total of 378 jobs for Washingtonians, according to Wyatt.
Washington Filmworks is a local organization dedicated to providing large and small productions with the tools necessary for filming. Including funding, locations and support.
“Passenger” cast and crew members dined at 220 local restaurants and booked 7,497 room nights across 50 different hotels, Wyatt said.
Film and TV productions serve as a “powerful economic engine for our state,” according to Amy Lillard, executive director of Washington Filmworks and state film commissioner.
“Filming in Washington would not have happened without state incentives,” Lillard told McClatchy Media via email.
“A combination of stunning rural locations, competitive incentives and our world-class local crew is why Washington was selected” for the “Passenger” production, Lillard said.
How does Washington state support film and TV productions?
The Washington Filmworks runs a $15 million fund each year to support filmmakers and their projects, according to Lillard.
The fund “provides funding assistance to feature films, episodic series, and commercials filmed anywhere in Washington State,” the Washington Filmworks website reads.
Sherrye Wyatt, rural economic development manager for Washington Filmworks, specializes in finding filming locations for productions looking to shoot in the state.
“What I’ve been doing is working on the community level with local jurisdictions, encouraging them to look ahead at what film could do for them and to become more film ready,” Wyatt said. “So that’s putting locations in our database (and) taking a look at the permitting process locally.”
Places in the Washington Filmworks location database range from bars, bridges and bowling alleys to homes, hospitals and hardware stores.
“This success story is a testament to the world-class talent and diverse landscapes our state offers,” Lillard said, referring to “Passenger.” “It is further evidence that film incentives are key to attracting high-profile projects to Washington.”