Made in Hungary – Spectral | Budapest Reporter

Netflix’s Original movie, Spectral (2016) was supposed to come out in theatres originally, but the production company behind it somehow just left. That’s when Netflix came in, made a deal, and bought the rights to the movie. Even though in the plot, the story takes place in Chișinău, Moldova, the majority of the production was filmed in Budapest. The film was released on December 9, 2016.

The plot is about a researcher, Dr. Mark Clyne (James Badge Dale) who flies out to Moldova, to the current deployment location of the US military, which is in Moldova, where the Moldovan War is being fought. He is consulted on one of his creations, a line of hyperspectral imaging goggles that have been issued to troops there. After arriving at the US Air Base located in the outskirts of Chișinău, he meets with General Orland (Bruce Greenwood) and CIA officer Fran Madison (Emily Mortimer). They show him footage captured by the troops’ goggles of a mysterious, translucent, humanoid apparition that kills almost instantly. Knowing it is not interference, Orland wants Clyne’s expert opinion before forwarding the findings and footage to his superiors. Clyne has to find the truth behind this massacre.

During the summer of 2014, Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures announced that the director of the movie will be Nic Mathieu. This was Mathieu’s first movie that he directed. Film production began on August 7, 2014. Shooting started on August 28, 2014, in various streets and buildings in Budapest. The film relies extensively on practical effects and locations for an authentic, gritty atmosphere. Some notable locations are Elizabeth Bridge, The Citadel, this is where Clyne builds some massive and super plasma weapons to have a chance against the spirits. Also, the Bath Museum (The Ruins of Thermae Maiores) under Árpád Bridge played as a serious location of the film. Other locations are Gellért Hill and St. Stephens’ Basilica. Important to note, Korda Studios in Etyek served as the New York backlot for the movie, and Origo Studios in Budapest gave stages and backlots. Filming was completed in August 2015.