The anthology horror comedy Trick ‘r Treat quickly became a cult classic after its 2007 release, prompting annual viewers to wonder more about the Halloween film’s origins, including where it was filmed. Despite being set in the fictional town of Warren Valley, Ohio, Trick ‘r Treat was filmed elsewhere. Even so, each of its four vignettes feels appropriately grounded in haunting locales, from the not-quite-as-they-seem suburbs to the quarry on the edge of town with a distressing past. Much like the narratives in the anthology film, the settings come together to create a satisfying whole rife with spine-chilling secrets and ghastly deaths.
At the film’s center is Sam, a supernatural being that wields a lollipop. Despite having the build of a child — and the footie pajamas to match — the burlap mask-wearing entity isn’t above killing. In fact, anyone who disobeys Sam’s Halloween rules in Trick ‘r Treat ends up suffering greatly. Of course, Sam isn’t the only Warren Valley denizen who’s out for blood on All Hallow’s Eve. Both Dylan Baker’s jack-o’-lantern-carving Principal Steven Wilkins and Anna Paquin’s not-so-innocent partygoer Laurie have ill intentions, while Brian Cox’s Halloween-hating Mr. Kreeg harbors a dark past. All of these twisted tales are made more haunting thanks to where Trick ‘r Treat was filmed.
Trick ‘R Treat Filmed On Location In Vancouver, British Columbia
Despite being set in a fictional small town in Ohio, Trick ‘r Treat was filmed in Canada. To be more specific, most of the film was shot on location in Vancouver, British Columbia. With plenty of outdoors haunts, the Vancouver setting, replete with towering pine trees and fallen leaves, becomes most apparent in Paquin’s “Surprise Party” vignette. The storyline sees the nervous Laurie joining her confident friends at a costume party in the woods. Although the gathering gets bloody fast, the scenery provides a lot for viewers to chew on.
Some Sequences Were Shot In The Ladner Suburb Of Vancouver
While a good chunk of the film’s vignettes are set in the woods and at the haunted quarry on the edge of Warren Valley, several storylines see characters milling about the town’s suburban streets. The “Principal” thread — a darkly funny and over-the-top lesson in the vein of “You should always check your candy” — sees a somewhat-bumbling, vengeful man wreaking havoc in his suburban backyard. To capture the spirit of Halloween and trick-or-treater-filled streets, the Trick ‘r Treat film team moved to the city of Delta, and more specifically, the Ladner suburb of Vancouver. To the film’s credit, Ladner conjures just the right feeling of off-kilter suburbia.
Filming Wrapped At Lion’s Gate Studios In North Vancouver
Some sequences in the film were best shot on sound stages. In particular, the final thread, titled “Sam,” sees the mask-wearing spirit taking revenge on Kreeg. The old man’s home is a dark, claustrophobic space that benefits from being a fully built-out set. As Sam stabs Kreeg and chases him from room to room, viewers can delight in the fact that Sam is one of those horror villains who’s more likable than the supposed heroes. The attention to detail, which is reflected in everything from the film’s production design and costuming to its filming locations, are what help Trick ‘r Treat stand out in the crowded field of Halloween movies.
