Murder Below Deck, a Lifetime thriller, takes viewers to the stunning waters of Bali, Indonesia. This luxurious yacht trip-turned-nightmare is beautifully shot amidst tropical backdrops, but filming wasn’t a smooth sail for the crew. Here’s everything you need to know about where and how this thrilling movie was filmed.
Murder Below Deck Filming Locations:
Bali, Indonesia 🏝️
The breathtaking island of Bali, known for its temples, beaches, and sunsets, served as the primary filming location. With over 17,000 islands in Indonesia, Bali is a tourist hotspot located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Filming began in June 2024 and wrapped up by June 18. However, while the location was scenic, the crew faced major challenges working on a $20 million yacht.
Filming Challenges 🌊
Shooting on the open water was anything but smooth. Initially, the crew struggled to find a place to anchor the yacht. They had to move south of Bali to find better views. To make things harder, the waters were still littered with leftover naval mines from World War II. The fear of accidentally setting one off forced the crew to shoot near a jetty instead of venturing out into deeper water.
The tight quarters of the yacht also caused problems. With 43 crew members and 9 cast members, the boat was packed beyond its safe limit of 40. People had to swap in and out just to keep things safe. Lighting was another issue, with the sun constantly moving and messing up shots, requiring the crew to turn the yacht multiple times to keep things consistent. Kite surfers also made things tricky by showing up in the background of several shots, forcing the team to reshoot.
Behind-the-Scenes Hiccups 🎥
The production crew teamed up with a local group called Moonkey Creative Productions, but miscommunications often slowed things down. One cultural hiccup was that the local team would say “yes” to requests, meaning they understood it, but not necessarily that the task was being handled yet. These small misunderstandings delayed filming. A.J. Kelly, the writer-producer, even joked online, “If you want my advice on how to shoot on a boat, don’t do it,” adding some humor to the stressful experience.
| Location | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Bali, Indonesia 🌊 | Exotic island known for beaches, temples, and sunsets |
| South Bali 🌅 | Major scenes filmed after trouble anchoring yacht |
| Jetty Filming 🚤 | Chosen to avoid mines in open water |
Murder Below Deck Cast Details 🎭
- Harley Bronwyn stars as Lauren, a young woman who gets caught up in the mystery aboard the luxury yacht.
- Alex Trumble plays Mark, the charming businessman who gets Lauren’s attention.
- Supporting cast includes Nadine Alexandra as Amy, Joseph J.U. Taylor as Captain Liam, and more.
Top 5 FAQs About Murder Below Deck Filming Locations
Where was Murder Below Deck filmed?
The movie was filmed in Bali, Indonesia.
What were some challenges the production team faced during filming?
The crew had trouble anchoring the yacht, navigating around old naval mines, and maintaining consistent lighting while shooting on the water.
Was it difficult to shoot on the yacht?
Yes, the yacht was overcrowded, and moving people around for safety was a constant challenge.
Did the location affect the storyline?
Bali’s stunning views added to the tropical, luxurious setting, making the mystery aboard the yacht feel even more intense.
What did the crew say about filming on the yacht?
Writer-producer A.J. Kelly joked, “If you want my advice on how to shoot on a boat, don’t do it,” referencing the many difficulties they encountered.