Foe is a Prime Video sci-fi thriller starring Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan, based on the popular book by Iain Reid, and set in the not-too-distant future of 2065. If you have been wondering where Foe was filmed you’re not alone, since it does not use the normal CG and overreliance on green screen backdrops that more conventional sci-fi offerings present. Instead, the movie has some sweeping and vibrant location work, that is juxtaposed by the more claustrophobic sets of the couple’s home and studio-based sets.
Where was Foe filmed?
Foe was filmed entirely in Australia, and in particular, Victoria, even though the film was set in the midwest of America. Victoria is located in the South East of Australia and is a popular destination for travelers. The film uses the vast landscapes in the area to represent the dystopic environment that the characters live in.
The humble farmhouse that the couple lives in was constructed especially for the film, and some of the more sci-fi-inspired sets, such as the chicken factory, were created through studio sets and green screens.
Winton, Victoria
Wikipedia would report that some initial footage for the production took place in January of 2022, in Winton, Victoria. Winton is a very small town near Benalla, and it is reported that less than 200 people live there.
Docklands Studios Melbourne
Docklands Studios, Melbourne
The Docklands Studios were used in the film’s production, and an article on the studio’s site reveals that director Garth Davis utilized the famous area for his film. The site confirms that “the main interiors for Foe, including a lonely, dilapidated farmhouse where the tense psychological drama unfolds, were built in sound stages at Docklands Studios.”
The feature on the film continues:
“Foe’s Canadian Production Designer Patrice Vermette oversaw the construction of a double-story farmhouse exterior at Winton for the ten-week shoot in early 2022, while Stage 1 at Docklands Studios housed interior sets including the top floor and staircase, a basement, part of a space ship, and a futuristic chicken farm.”
Most of the other landscapes used in filming were done in remote South Australia.
Is Foe meant to be scary?
Foe, like many sci-fi movies, approaches various themes. such as climate change and the breakdown of relationships, from an unusual vantage point. However, it is not a horror movie with dangerous aliens, but is instead a character-based drama more interested in showing a possible future in a bleak light.
The film may come across as unnerving, and some will find a few chills in the narrative, but director Garth Davis is trying to provoke thought and debate, rather than overt thrills.
Who produced and directed Foe?
The film was directed by Australian Garth Davis, and you might recognise him from the 2016 movie Lion, and 2018’s Mary Magdalene.
The film’s named producers are Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Garth Davis, Emile Sherman, and Iain Canning.
RELATED: Foe Ending Explained
