The unsettling world of Netflix’s latest horror sensation, ‘Something Very Bad is Going To Happen,’ which premiered in late March 2026, is captivating audiences worldwide. But for travelers with a keen eye, the show’s terrifyingly realistic backdrop is just as compelling as its supernatural plot. The series was filmed extensively across Ontario, Canada, transforming familiar cityscapes and quiet neighborhoods into a canvas for its dark narrative and signaling a potential new draw for film tourists.
The Cinematic Landscapes of Southern Ontario
The production’s 73-day shoot was heavily centered in Southern Ontario, leveraging the region’s diverse environments to build a believable yet eerie world.
The Urban Maze of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Much of the series unfolds in the Greater Toronto Area. The suburban streets and residential neighborhoods of Mississauga were used to create a sense of deceptive normalcy, where horror lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life. In contrast, the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets of Toronto provided the quintessential urban backdrop, adding a sense of scale and anonymity to the unfolding events. This juxtaposition of the mundane and the metropolitan is key to the show’s unsettling atmosphere.
Hamilton’s Authentic Grit
The nearby city of Hamilton also played a crucial role in grounding the series. Known for its industrial heritage and unique character, a local Hamilton tavern was repurposed for several key scenes. This choice lent an authentic, gritty texture to the show, rooting the supernatural story in a tangible reality that makes the horror feel all the more immediate.
Behind the Scenes: Why Ontario is a Production Powerhouse
The selection of Ontario as the primary filming location is no coincidence. The province has solidified its reputation as “Hollywood North,” a premier destination for international film and television production.
This status is built on several key factors. First, the province offers a vast and varied portfolio of locations, from modern cityscapes and historic towns to sprawling natural wilderness, allowing productions to create almost any world they can imagine.
Second, and perhaps most critically, are the significant financial incentives. The provincial government offers attractive tax credits, such as the Ontario Film & Television Tax Credit (OFTTC), which significantly reduces production costs. This financial support makes large-scale, high-budget projects like ‘Something Very Bad is Going To Happen’ not just possible, but economically advantageous. The impact is substantial: according to Ontario Creates, film and television productions contributed a staggering $2.88 billion to the province’s economy in 2022 alone, supporting tens of thousands of local jobs.
The Future Impact: The Rise of “Set-Jetting” in Ontario
The global success of a major Netflix series has a lasting impact that extends far beyond the initial 73-day shoot. The most significant potential effect for the travel industry is the phenomenon known as “set-jetting” or film-induced tourism.
As viewers become invested in the show, many will be inspired to visit the real-life locations where their favorite scenes were filmed. We have seen this with franchises like Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland and Croatia, and The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, which saw massive influxes of tourists.
For Ontario, this presents a new opportunity. Fans of ‘Something Very Bad is Going To Happen’ may soon be planning trips to walk the same Mississauga streets as the characters, or to have a drink in the now-famous Hamilton tavern. This could transform local businesses into unexpected tourist hotspots, providing a direct economic boost to communities featured in the series.
For travelers, this offers a new way to experience a destination. A tour of these filming locations provides a unique lens through which to explore the urban and cultural landscapes of Toronto, Mississauga, and Hamilton, connecting a fictional world with the vibrant reality of Southern Ontario.
