You might not expect it, but Central Ohio has quietly been the backdrop for some pretty chilling horror and thriller films.
From creepy rural landscapes to hidden city gems, this region has a knack for setting the perfect spooky mood. Maybe that’s why all of us are obsessed with Halloween around here…
Whether you’re a horror movie buff or just in the mood to explore local film history, here’s a look at some of the scariest and most intense movies filmed right here in Central Ohio. Grab some popcorn and a blanket to hide under… you’re gonna need it.
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1. Air Force One (1997) | Dir. by Wolfgang Petersen, Starring Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman
🍅 Rotten Tomatoes score: 79% 🍅
As it turns out, Central Ohio can pull off being a Russian prison. The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield got a lot of screen time in Air Force One, standing in as a grim Russian lockup. Apparently Hollywood was obsessed with the Ohio State Reformatory in the 90s, as The Shawshank Redemption had just been shot there a few years earlier. And let’s not forget Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, just outside of the southern tip of I-270, served as a German military base in the film. Ford, Oldman, and Ohio… not a bad combo.
2. Bones and All (2022) | Dir. by Luca Guadagnino, Starring Taylor Russell and Timothee Chalamet
🍅 Rotten Tomatoes score: 82% 🍅
This film is basically a road trip with a side of cannibalism. Bones and All follows two young lovers as they criss-cross the Midwest while grappling with a, uhhhh, very specific dietary preference. You’ll spot some recognizable spots in the Columbus area, like the downtown Greyhound station and stretches of highways you’ve probably driven a hundred times without realizing they’d be perfect for a movie about cannibalism. Even Columbus’s predecessor as state capital, Chillicothe, makes an appearance. These local spots help set the eerie, nomadic tone of the movie.
3. Uninvited Guest (1999) | Dir. by Timothy Wayne Folsome, Starring Mekhi Phifer
🍅 Rotten Tomatoes score: 75% 🍅
Uninvited Guest is a psychological thriller that brings the tension. It was filmed across some of Central Ohio’s best spots, including Columbus, Reynoldsburg, and Grandview Heights. This movie is all about mystery and suspense, and with local artist Robert S. Wright’s work featured in the film, it boasts tons of Ohio flavor. It might not be as well-known or as high profile as other films on this list, but it’s got a solid cult following and gives plenty of love to Central Ohio.
4. Aftermath (2017) | Dir. by Elliot Lester, Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
🍅 Rotten Tomatoes score: 40% 🍅
Arnold’s no stranger to Central Ohio thanks to the Arnold Sports Festival, but in Aftermath, he brings a more somber tone to the city. Based on real events, this movie follows a man seeking closure after a tragic plane crash and yep, Columbus gets plenty of screen time. Filmed over the course of a month in late 2015 and early 2016, the movie’s dark, emotional vibe is heightened by familiar spots around the city. It’s not exactly the Arnold we’re used to seeing, but it’s definitely a movie that puts Columbus in a spotlight you don’t often see.
*Fun Fact: One of my favorite songs was written about the real-life plane crash that inspired this movie. It’s called “Ballad of Vitaly” by Delta Spirit. Check it out!*
5. I Am Wrath (2016) | Dir. by Chuck Russell, Starring John Travolta
🍅 Rotten Tomatoes score: 10% 🍅
Honestly, these last two movies could go either way. But truth be told, I’m partial to weird (and objectively bad) late-career John Travolta movies. *Adele Dazeem*
I Am Wrath is all about John Travolta taking revenge into his own hands, and he does it right here in Columbus. This film shows off some of our favorite spots like Capital Square, Old Familiar Barbershop (for all you retro shave lovers), and even Buckeye Donuts. Could you imagine walking into Buckeye Donuts, absolutely trashed after a night at the bars, and whaddyaknow… John Travolta is in there shooting a movie (and probably ordering a red velvet donut)!?
6. First Kill (2017) | Dir. by Steven C. Miller, Starring Bruce Willis and Hayden Christensen
🍅 Rotten Tomatoes score: 15% 🍅
Granville, Ohio, you charming little Central Ohio town, you! It takes center stage in First Kill, a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, though the movie itself is a bit lacking. What’s cool, though, is that the movie is actually set exactly where it was filmed, which doesn’t happen all that often (think Major League, taking place in Cleveland but being filmed in Milwaukee). Willis and Christensen lead this crime drama, but the real star is Granville’s small-town charm. Even though the movie bombed at the box office, it’s still cool to see this quiet Ohio town get its moment on the silver screen.
