Where was K.O. (2025) filmed? All filming locations explored

K.O. is a French action drama directed by Antoine Blossier that premiered on Netflix on June 6, 2025. The film follows Bastien, a former MMA fighter, who is forced to revisit his past when the son of a man he accidentally killed in a fight goes missing. The cast also includes Anne Azoulay as Emma, the widow of Bastien’s former opponent, Maleaume Paquin as Léo, her missing son, and Alice Belaïdi as Kenza Alaoui, a police captain who joins Bastien in his search.

With a dark and urgent narrative, the movie blends high-stakes combat and crime drama in the city of Marseille. The global streaming rights for K.O. are held by Netflix. The production was overseen by Artémis Productions and Empreinte Digitale.

The film was primarily shot in Marseille, France, a city that plays a central role in the story. Its urban landscape and coastal terrain serve as the perfect backdrop for Bastien's journey through guilt, violence, and redemption. Other supporting locations were used to highlight different emotional and physical aspects of his quest.

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Filming locations: K.O.

Marseille, France

Le Cours Julien Marseille (Image via Getty)

Most of K.O. was filmed entirely in Marseille, France. The city’s distinct coastal geography, old-world architecture, and gritty urban districts aligned with the film’s themes of loss and pursuit. Principal photography began in late May 2024 and continued through early July 2024. The production used various real locations to enhance authenticity.

Several sequences were shot in Saint-Pierre, a district known for its narrow streets and local character. Scenes were also filmed in Place de la Major, Frais Vallon, and Boulevard Du Redon. These locations provided the backdrop for action set pieces and dramatic exchanges. Other areas in northern Marseille were also used for filming to reflect the city’s less explored urban zones.

The filmmakers ensured that both exterior and interior scenes featured recognizable Marseille landmarks, including glimpses of the Old Port, the Porte d’Aix, and Palais Longchamp.

A nearby mountainous area also appears in the movie, adding a rugged contrast to the city scenes. UFC arena scenes were either built on a studio soundstage or filmed in an actual MMA venue. These setups allowed the team to recreate realistic fighting environments.

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Behind the scenes and production insights

Ciryl Gane’s Bastien fights for survival in a nightclub sequence from K.O. (2025) (Image via Netflix)

K.O. is directed and written by Antoine Blossier, known for his previous work on Remi, Nobody’s Boy, and Prey. The film was produced by Artémis Productions and Empreinte Digitale. The production team collaborated with local Marseille crews to manage logistics and secure permissions for location-based filming.

Netflix supported the production as the primary distributor through its European content arm. The creative team prioritized authenticity by choosing to film on location in Marseille instead of using artificial studio sets. Cinematographers made use of wide urban shots and tight close-ups to match the film’s emotional and physical intensity.

Producing K.O. in Marseille posed logistical challenges. Scenes set in the salt mine, representing Bastien’s withdrawn post-MMA life, required difficult lighting setups and careful spatial design. The action sequences involving gang activity and police chases were filmed in real neighborhoods, demanding close coordination with stunt teams and city officials. Despite the demanding schedule, lead actor Ciryl Gane maintained his MMA training throughout.

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What can we expect?

Ciryl Gane as Bastien and Alice Belaïdi as Kenza outside a public facility in K.O. (2025) (Image via Netflix)

K.O. presents a narrative grounded in loss, redemption, and personal reckoning. The plot follows Bastien, who, after accidentally killing his opponent Enzo in the ring, becomes reclusive. His path crosses with Emma, Enzo’s widow, who asks him to find her missing son Léo. Bastien teams up with Kenza Alaoui, a police captain played by Alice Belaïdi, whose brother was killed by the same crime syndicate.

The story is set entirely in Marseille and combines action with emotional conflict. According to Netflix Tudum, director Blossier wanted the city to act as a silent character. K.O. offers a direct portrayal of law enforcement, criminal networks, and personal reckoning. It focuses on Bastien’s return to violence as he attempts to correct his past actions and navigate a network of unresolved relationships and gang conflicts.

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