The post-apocalyptic action film Afterburn, starring Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson, brings a new world to the big screen. Directed by stunt coordinator-turned-director J.J. Perry, the movie is based on the popular Red 5 Comics graphic novel series. The film’s production took place in a specific location that provided the perfect backdrop for its desolate, futuristic setting.
To create the look and feel of a world ravaged by a solar flare, the filmmakers chose a single, key location for principal photography. This strategic choice allowed them to build a cohesive and visually striking environment for the story.
All The Filming Locations
The primary location for the filming of Afterburn was Slovakia. All of the principal photography, which began on May 10, 2024, and wrapped on June 27, 2024, was conducted in and around the country’s capital, Bratislava.
The production team used a mix of city and industrial locations to bring the comic book’s world to life. One of the most notable sites was an abandoned nickel smelter in Sered, Slovakia, which is located near Bratislava. This facility naturally had the weathered, run-down appearance needed for the film’s post-apocalyptic “Burn Zone.” Set designers added more details to the location, including bones tied to fences and props like a rubber severed head on a pike, to make the environment feel even more dangerous and realistic.
According to director J.J. Perry, the choice of Slovakia was a significant factor in creating the film’s unique look. In an interview, he noted that few American films with large budgets had filmed in the area since Enemy at the Gates in 2001.
“Everywhere you look, it was something you haven’t seen before,” Perry said. “We went a little bit farther out of town where all these dilapidated buildings [are,] so it fit in. There’s a lot of plants and places that have been run down, so for us, it worked really well.”
The director of photography, José David Montero, used the original Afterburn comic books to help create the color palette for the film. This shows how closely the crew worked to match the movie’s visuals to its source material. Stunt coordinator Felix Betancourt also used the comics for inspiration when designing the fight scenes.
The Story and Production
Afterburn is set a decade after a massive solar flare has destroyed all electronic technology in the Eastern Hemisphere. In this new world, treasure hunters retrieve valuable artifacts from the old world. Dave Bautista plays Jake, one of these hunters, who is on a mission to find the Mona Lisa. He teams up with a freedom fighter played by Olga Kurylenko, and together they must face rival hunters, mutants, and pirates.
The film has a budget of approximately 104 million Euros (around $111 million), with a significant portion of the funding coming from the Slovak Audiovisual Fund. The Slovak film commission also played a key role in supporting the production.
The project had been in development for many years, with different directors and actors attached at various points. Originally, Gerard Butler and Antoine Fuqua were set to be involved. However, the current project moved forward with J.J. Perry at the helm and a cast led by Bautista and Jackson. The film is produced by Neal H. Moritz’s Original Film, Endurance Media, and Dogbone Entertainment.
Afterburn had its first theatrical release in some markets on September 19, 2025, and is also set for a North American release on that same date.
Also Read: Is Afterburn (2025) Based on a Comic? Here’s What We Know
