If you’ve watched the trailer for Netflix’s Havoc or caught the flick during a late-night binge, you probably noticed the grit. It looks like a classic, grime-streaked American metropolis. There are the Ford Crown Victoria police cruisers, the neon-lit convenience stores, and the kind of industrial decay you’d expect from a place like Detroit or Chicago. But if you’re wondering what city is Havoc filmed in, the answer is actually about 3,000 miles away from the United States.
It’s Wales. Specifically, South Wales.
Honestly, it’s one of the most impressive "fake-outs" in recent cinema history. Director Gareth Evans, the man who basically redefined action with The Raid, took Tom Hardy and a massive Netflix budget to his home turf. Instead of the Philly skyline, he used the streets of Cardiff and Swansea. It sounds weird on paper, but on screen, it works perfectly.
Turning Cardiff Into Americana
Most of the heavy lifting for the "American" look happened in Cardiff. If you know the city, you might recognize Bute Street. During production, the crew transformed this iconic Cardiff Bay thoroughfare into a snowy American boulevard. They didn't just use a little bit of fake snow; they essentially buried the street in the stuff.
Because Evans was shooting in the middle of a Welsh summer, seeing Tom Hardy running around in heavy layers through a foot of "snow" was a bit of a surreal sight for locals.
📖 Related: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
The production didn't stop there. The Pierhead Building, that striking red-brick landmark in Cardiff Bay, served as the interior for the film’s central police precinct. It’s funny because that building is such a staple of Welsh heritage, yet with the right lighting and a few props, it feels like it’s been ripped straight out of a 90s Michael Mann thriller.
Why South Wales Worked
Evans has been pretty vocal about why he chose these spots. He wasn't just being sentimental about his roots, though he did mention liking the idea of being home in time to read his son a bedtime story.
He basically looked for "bits and pieces" of architecture. He’d take a corner of Swansea, a rail yard in Port Talbot, and a street in Cardiff, then stitch them together.
- Swansea Guildhall: Used for the exterior of the police station.
- Brangwyn Hall: This is where Walker (Tom Hardy) meets the mayor, played by Forest Whitaker.
- AB Ports Cardiff: The setting for Raul’s scrapyard.
- Port Talbot Rail Yard: Used for one of the film's massive, bone-crunching showdowns.
It’s a patchwork city. It’s not one real place; it’s a Frankenstein’s monster of Welsh locations dressed up in VFX and American flags.
👉 See also: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
The Massive Production Footprint
Havoc isn't just another Netflix movie. It’s actually the largest feature film ever shot entirely in Wales. That’s a huge deal for the local economy. Creative Wales and the Welsh Government put a lot of weight behind this, and the ripple effect was massive. We're talking about a production that helped contribute to over £200 million in economic impact from Netflix alone since 2020.
Most of the interior action, like that insane multi-level nightclub fight, was built from scratch. They used Seren Stiwdios (formerly Pinewood Studios Wales) in Cardiff. Hardy reportedly spent three weeks in those sets, dealing with some of the most complex choreography of his career. It was hot, it was cramped, and it was brutal.
Spotting the Glitches
Even with all the VFX magic, you’ll find eagle-eyed viewers on Reddit pointing out the tells. One scene features an ambush on a limo. It was filmed at Swansea University’s Bay Campus, specifically on Fabian Way. Evans admitted that while one side of the road looks like a congested US highway, the other side was just green Welsh countryside that had to be digitally erased.
There is technically one "real" American shot in the whole movie. The production used a bit of stock footage of the Vine Street Expressway in Philadelphia for an establishing shot. Aside from that? It’s all Wales, baby.
✨ Don't miss: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
Why You Should Care
Understanding what city is Havoc filmed in changes how you watch the movie. It’s a testament to how far digital augmentation and clever scouting have come. You’re watching a Welsh director, using a largely Welsh crew, to build a fictional American nightmare.
If you're planning a trip to South Wales, you can actually visit many of these spots. You won't find the snow or the Triad assassins, but you can stand exactly where Tom Hardy stood outside the Brangwyn Hall or grab a coffee near the Pierhead Building.
To get the most out of your next viewing, keep an eye on the background architecture. Look for the way the red bricks of Cardiff's older buildings blend into the modern glass of the university campuses. It’s a masterclass in production design that proves you don't need to be in Hollywood to make a Hollywood blockbuster.