'Soul On Fire' hits theaters - Where was it filmed around St. Louis?
ST. LOUIS - “Soul On Fire,” a big-screen movie based on a St. Louis man’s survival and recovery after a childhood explosion, officially debuts in theaters on Friday.
"Soul On Fire," a production of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s AFFIRM Films, is based on the true story of John O’Leary, who survived a massive explosion in his family’s home at just nine years old. The explosion left him with severe burns across much of his body, and at one point, he was given a 1% chance of surviving.
In the present day, O’Leary is a motivational speaker and author who credits his near-death experience for shaping his mission to inspire others to live with courage and gratitude. “Soul On Fire” is the theatrical version of O’Leary’s bestselling memoir “On Fire."
The film features several well-known St. Louis-area landmarks, along with several local hidden gems, each holding special significance in O'Leary's personal journey.
These are among the St. Louis-area locations featured in the film:
- John O'Leary's childhood home (Town and Country)
- Saint Louis University (St. Louis)
- Busch Stadium (St. Louis)
- Mercy Hospital (St. Louis)
- Shrine of St. Joseph Catholic Church (St. Louis)
- Kiener Plaza (St. Louis)
- Jefferson Barracks (South County)
- Tiffany's Diner (Maplewood)
- Saratoga Lanes (Maplewood)
- Humphrey's Restaurant & Tavern (St. Louis) - Exteriors Only
- EdgeWild Restaurant and Winery (Chesterfield) - Exteriors Only
- Frisco Barroom (Webster Groves) - Exteriors Only
"Soul On Fire," filmed primarily in the fall of 2023, chronicles O'Leary's journey from decades ago up to the present. The movie will depict events such as O'Leary receiving critical care from medical professionals, growing up and attending school, forming a special connection with St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck and building relationships that ultimately inspired him to become a motivational speaker.
Throughout the movie, O'Leary's story unfolds as a message of resilience and hope, while encouraging others to overcome their own adversity.
“I love St. Louis, and I love how well our community – its people and our landmarks – are represented in the film,” said O’Leary via a news release. “While the settings, architecture and backdrops all added to the film, this is really a story about who we are as a city and as a community. I was fortunate to have many of the same people who helped me 40 years ago take part in this production, and I can’t wait to share our story with the world.”
Directed by Sean McNamara, “Soul on Fire” features an acting cast of William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, DeVon Franklin, Masey McLain and Stephanie Szostak among others.
The film will feature cameos from Jack Buck's family members Carole, Julie and Natalie, along with Colleen Schoendienst (daughter of former Cardinals manager Red Schoendienst), Nico Smith (son of Cardinals Hall-of-Famer Ozzie Smith, who will be playing his father) and a few nurses who treated O'Leary after the explosion.
"Soul On Fire" is also the first major movie production shot in the St. Louis area to benefit from Missouri’s ongoing tax incentives program, which took effect in 2023 with the goal of attracting more movie and TV projects to the state. Sources close to production tell FOX 2 that the film received $2.75 million in tax credits and employed more than 550 Missourians during 19 days of filming.
For tickets, check your local movie theater listings or visit SoulOnFireMovie.com.
