Apple TV+’s latest psychological thriller, Echo Valley, wasted no time pulling viewers into its chilling mystery. Starring Julianna Moore and Sydney Sweeney, the movie follows the fragile bond between a mother and daughter. But behind the suspenseful plot lies an equally compelling production journey across continents.
The dark and chilling landscape also caught the attention of the viewers. The windswept farmland and cold, and still water shaped the mood of Echo Valley. From hidden corners of New Jersey to elite soundstages in England, the filming locations helped elevate the drama and, unexpectedly, gave Sweeney a surprising new best friend.
Apple TV+ thriller Echo Valley‘s filming location revealed
Though Echo Valley is set on a remote horse farm in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the production took place mostly in New Jersey, spanning Hunterdon, Morris, and Hudson Counties. Filming began in late May 2023 under the working title Wildvale, wrapping by the end of June that same year (via Moviedelic).
In Hunterdon County, scenes were filmed in the towns of Stockton, Lambertville, and Clinton. A farmstead on Seabrook Road in Stockton was used as the main filming location for the Garretson property, where much of the emotional heart of the movie takes place.
The remote and peaceful setting provided the perfect atmosphere for the tension and turmoil that slowly unravels in the story. The production team even issued casting calls for local girls with horse-riding experience to lend authenticity to the scenes.
In Morris County, filming continued in Rockaway Township, particularly at Mount Hope Pond, part of the Mount Hope Historical Park. This location served as the backdrop for a pivotal scene in which the film takes a dark turn. To ensure realism, the production brought in local teenagers with lifeguard training to support water-based scenes.
Additional filming took place in Jersey City, located in Hudson County. While only appearing briefly in the movie, the city’s urban contrast offered a sense of shift.
Some of the most technically challenging scenes, particularly those involving underwater filming, were shot at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England. Julianne Moore filmed in the studio’s enormous 6-meter deep water stage, where she performed entirely submerged.
Sydney Sweeney found an unexpected best friend while filming Echo Valley
Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney formed a real-life bond during filming. Not with another actor, but with a horse named Moose. In preparation for her role as Claire, a girl raised on a horse farm, Sweeney trained for weeks to convincingly ride and handle horses like someone who’d done it her entire life.
During filming in New Jersey, she developed a deep affection for one particular horse. Sweeney told Vanity Fair,
There was this horse there named Moose. Moose and I became best friends. I would go see him even when I wasn’t shooting. I loved it. It made me want to have a farm and a bunch of horses.
Both lead actresses of Echo Valley took on physical challenges to embody their characters..While Sweeney trained extensively in horseback riding, Moore tackled the demands of underwater acting.
As the thriller drama Echo Valley continues to stream on Apple TV+, viewers may be invested in its plot twists, but the story behind the camera is just as rich as the story. It’s ultimately the mix of local landscapes, international studios, and a surprising equine co-star who stole Sydney Sweeney’s heart.
Echo Valley is streaming on Apple TV+ now in the USA.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
