"HAVOC": Biggest Feature Film Shot Entirely in Wales Ignites Industry Excitement

Cardiff, Wales – A special BAFTA screening celebrated the release of Netflix's "HAVOC," a gripping action thriller starring Tom Hardy and directed by Welsh-born Gareth Evans.

The film “HAVOC” was recently announced as as the biggest feature film shot entirely in Wales, and has generated significant buzz and underscored the region's growing prominence in the global film industry.

“HAVOC" plunges viewers into a world of crime and corruption, following a bruised detective's desperate search to rescue a politician's estranged son. The production harnessed the cutting-edge facilities at Great Point Studios in Cardiff and Dragon Studios in Bridgend, while also capturing the rugged beauty of various South Wales locations.

The economic impact of productions like "HAVOC" on Wales is substantial. The Welsh government reports that "the £28.6 million of production funding Creative Wales has invested so far in the screen sector is projected to bring an additional £342 million of additional spend into the Welsh economy".

This significant return highlights the financial benefits of supporting the film industry in the region.Netflix's commitment to Wales extends beyond economic investment. As Anna Mallet, Vice President of Production, UK, Netflix, stated, "from Sex Education to The Crown, and now to HAVOC, some of our most beloved titles were filmed or produced in Wales". She further emphasized Wales's appeal as "an amazing place to make entertainment" due to its "incredible creative talent and beautiful natural landscapes".The cultural significance of these productions is also noteworthy.

Netflix is ensuring that "HAVOC" is available with Welsh-language subtitles, demonstrating a commitment to linguistic diversity and local culture. This follows the success of "The Adam Project" and "Dal Y Mellt," which further showcased Welsh storytelling on a global platform.

Our Creative Technology Officer at ERA Film Studios, Gigi Sloane commented on the film's potential, stating “'HAVOC' exemplifies the power of cinematic storytelling to captivate audiences worldwide. At ERA, we are excited to explore how AI and emerging technologies can further enhance the creative process, the inviting and empowering independent filmmakers to enrich the viewer experience. We are actively developing projects that will leverage these advancements to create innovative and compelling narratives and are greatly inspired by the films success to pursue projects in the region."

CEO of ERA Film Studios and Director of the first British Virtual Reality feature film, Sidney Malik said “Wales offers a unique blend of talent, scintillating landscapes and offers a unique and versatile backdrop for international productions, and support, making it an ideal location for our innovative ventures. We see a future where Wales becomes a global leader in Film and additionally AI-enhanced film, tv and entertainment and a new wave of independent collaborative film production, and we're committed to being at the forefront of that movement. Havoc was an exceptional, riveting, emotive film, evoking cult classic action films, and is a stunning, hard-hitting example of the power and potential of production in Wales”.

Sidney further added “watching such an exhilarating film such as “Havoc” and a Netflix film in the cinema was a remarkable and excellent experience”, and is greatly excited for the continued shared industry success of the Netflix era, especially in attending WWE / TKO Group live events on Netflix and upcoming Netflix House events - “a year-round home for fans to live the stories they love.. enjoy rotating immersive experiences… and much more. Opening in Dallas at Galleria Dallas and in Philadelphia at King of Prussia in 2025.”

Special thanks to BAFTA Cymru for the event, Chapter Arts Centre, Netflix and Gareth Edwards for this excellent cinema screening experience.

Images - Netflix

Sources

https://www.netflixhouse.com

https://www.gov.wales/creating-havoc-wales-new-netflix-action-thriller-set-film-summer

https://www.gov.wales/biggest-feature-film-shot-entirely-wales-released-today