This cult‑classic slasher from the late 1990s was filmed largely in and around Southport, North Carolina, a small coastal town near Wilmington. While a few sequences (like the opening coastal cliff shots) were actually shot in California, most of the film’s small‑town scenes — including the iconic high‑school pageant, main street moments, local marina and downtown — were shot in real North Carolina coastal locations such as Southport and nearby Burgaw.

The setting plays a big role in the movie’s atmosphere. Southport’s quiet streets, historic buildings and river views give the horror story an eerie contrast: a peaceful seaside town by day, but mysterious and foreboding once night falls. This blend of scenic calm and suspense helps make the film one of the most memorable coastal thrillers of the 1990s.