The Things You Kill is a mystery drama/thriller movie directed by Alireza Khatami and written by Alireza Khatami. The film stars Ekin Koç (Ali), Ercan Kesal (Hamit), Hazar Ergüçlü (Hazar), along with other cast members like Erkan Kolçak Köstendil, Serhat Nalbantoğlu, and Selen Kurtaran.
The story follows Ali, a university professor, who is haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother. He returns to his home province in Turkey, hires a gardener, and slowly becomes drawn into a web of vengeance, family secrets and psychological unravelling.
The Things You Kill had its world premiere on 24 January 2025 via Cineverse Entertainment at the Sundance Film Festival in the “World Cinema Dramatic” competition.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was The Things You Kill Filmed?
| Film Name | The Things You Kill |
|---|---|
| Genres | Mystery Drama / Thriller |
| Filming Locations | Turkey (Ankara, Niğde, Cappadocia, Aladağlar range) |
| Filming Dates | July–August 2023 |
| Cinematography by | Bartosz Świniarski |
| Release Date | 24 January 2025 (World Premiere) |
Filming took place in Turkey, using real landscapes and rural settings to build a haunting mood. Key locations include the capital region of Ankara and the central to eastern Anatolian provinces such as Niğde and the scenic areas around Cappadocia and the Aladağlar mountain range. Principal photography reportedly ran through July and August 2023, with post-production continuing into 2024.
📍Ankara Province, Turkey
As per IMDB reports, In Ankara Province the filmmakers captured the provincial townscapes and rural outskirts that mirror the story’s emotional core. The region offers a mix of older neighbourhoods, farmland, and small-town atmospheric settings. These locations helped the film create a sense of returning home and confronting past events.
📍Niğde Province, Turkey
Niğde served as one of the main backdrops for the story’s domestic and village-scenes. With its quiet villages, stone houses, and open valleys, this location gave the film authenticity and a tone of isolation, reflection and hidden tensions.
📍Cappadocia Region, Turkey
The filmmakers used the unique terrain of Cappadocia — famous for its cave houses, fairy chimneys and expansive landscapes — to create outdoor scenes with visual impact. The outdoor natural beauty added a haunting backdrop that aligns with the film’s themes of memory, nature, and internal unrest.
📍Aladağlar Mountain Range / Aladağlar National Park, Turkey
For the more remote and rugged scenes, filming took place in the Aladağlar range in the Taurus Mountains, spanning Niğde, Kayseri and Adana provinces. The sweeping mountain vistas, steep cliffs and wilderness emphasise emotional isolation and the psychological descent of the main character in the story.
Behind the Scenes of The Things You Kill
To make your search for The Things You Kill filming even more interesting, here are some behind-the-scenes glimpses. The film was shot on location in remote Turkish landscapes, with director Alireza Khatami choosing real settings over studio back-drops for greater authenticity. The cast and filmmakers shared glimpses from the locations on social media, including the mountains and rural houses.
Is there any trailer available for The Things You Kill?
Yes. The official trailer for The Things You Kill is available on YouTube and here:-
The film premiered at Sundance on 24 January 2025 and will be distributed in several countries.
FAQs
Q1: Where was The Things You Kill filmed?
A1: The film was mainly filmed in Turkey, with key locations in Ankara Province, Niğde Province, Cappadocia, and the Aladağlar mountain range.
Q2: What scenes were filmed at Niğde?
A2: In Niğde the filmmakers filmed village houses, quiet valleys and rural homes — scenes that reflect the main character’s homecoming and emotional journey.
Q3: When did the filming for The Things You Kill begin?
A3: Principal photography reportedly started in July 2023 and wrapped in August 2023, with post-production running into 2024.
Q4: Can I visit the filming locations of The Things You Kill?
A4: Yes, many of the filming locations are real places in Turkey. You could visit Cappadocia, Niğde, the Aladağlar region or suburban/rural areas around Ankara. Always check access and any local restrictions before travelling.
Q5: Why did the filmmakers choose real landscapes rather than studio sets?
A5: Director Alireza Khatami wanted the story to feel deeply rooted in place. The natural landscapes, rural villages and mountain terrain helped build the film’s mood of psychological tension, isolation and memory.
This guide covers the key filming locations and behind-the-scenes moments of The Things You Kill. The real-life Turkish landscapes play a powerful role in shaping the film’s atmosphere and story. For more articles on filming locations of other movies or series, keep checking this page!
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