Hans Hernke Directs, Stars in and Produces New Mystery/Thriller Feature Film Set Against the Great Outdoors of Northern Wisconsin.
Production has officially wrapped on “Still Water”, an independently produced feature film directed by, starring and produced by Wisconsin native Hans Hernke. Filmed primarily in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin, the film takes advantage of the region’s lakes, forests and secluded landscapes to create a story that is intentionally being kept largely under wraps.
The majority of “Still Water ” was filmed on an undisclosed lake in Northern Wisconsin, with additional scenes filmed at The Sawbuck – a coffee shop and bakery in downtown Land O’ Lakes. The production embraced the natural beauty and authentic atmosphere of the Northwoods, allowing the locations themselves to become an important part of the film’s visual identity. The film’s fictional lake in the story is called Still Water Lake.
For Hernke, bringing a feature film to Wisconsin was a long-standing personal goal.
“I’ve always wanted to film a movie in the Great Outdoors of Up North, Wisconsin. I just had to create the right story to make it possible,” said Hernke. “I wanted to keep things super simple and have fun with it, along with friends helping me up there for a few days. There’s something really special about making a movie in a place that feels authentic and very familiar to me since I was a child.”
While details surrounding the storyline are intentionally being kept secret, Hernke promises that audiences will have plenty to think about once the film reaches the screen.
“I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a film that will make the audience think twice as they watch, with a few nice surprising twists revealed,” Hernke said. “The less I say about the story right now, the better. I want audiences to experience it for themselves.”
Rather than relying on a large-scale production footprint, “Still Water” was designed around a focused story, a small number of locations and the natural environment surrounding the production. The result is a feature created with an intentionally smaller and simpler approach, allowing the filmmakers to concentrate on character, atmosphere, mystery and storytelling.
The decision to film in Northern Wisconsin also gave the production an opportunity to showcase a side of the state that is rarely used as the backdrop for independent feature films. The lakes, woods, roads and small-town atmosphere of the Northwoods provide the film with a distinctive sense of place while complementing the story’s mysterious tone.
From Wisconsin to Los Angeles
With Wisconsin principal photography now complete on “Still Water”, additional filming will commence in the UK, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles in the coming months to add more to the storyline and an exciting cast line-up to be announced soon! After that, it will enter post-production in Los Angeles, where editing, sound, music, color and other finishing work will take place.
Hernke is currently targeting a Summer or Fall 2027 release, with additional details about the film, its cast, distribution plans and release strategy expected to be announced as post-production progresses.
For Hernke, the project represents both a creative challenge and a return to his Wisconsin roots.
Born and raised in Menasha, Wisconsin, Hernke has built a career in Los Angeles as an actor, producer and filmmaker. “Still Water” brings those experiences together in a project that allows him to return to the landscapes that inspired him while creating a feature film designed specifically around the location.
“It was really important to me that this movie felt like it belonged there,” Hernke said. “Northern Wisconsin has such a unique look and feeling. I wanted to embrace that rather than trying to make it look like somewhere else.”
With the film now moving into its next phase, the production team is remaining tight-lipped about what audiences can expect.
For now, the mystery remains.
Stay tuned for more announcements, behind-the-scenes material, the first look at “Still Water”, and information regarding its 2027 release.
ABOUT “STILL WATER”
“Still Water” is an independently produced feature film directed, produced by and starring Hans Hernke. Filmed primarily in Northern Wisconsin, and locations in downtown Land O’ Lakes to create an atmospheric story that combines the beauty of the Northwoods with a carefully guarded mystery and an unexpected twist.
Director: Hans Hernke
Starring: Hans Hernke
Cast Lineup: TBA
Producer: Hans Hernke
Associate Producers: Randy Kent, Steven M. Smith, Tiffany White, Bill and Brittany Clark, Joseph Krause, Jennifer Krause, Reagan Krause, Marvin Maddicks Jr.
Production: Hernke-LemJ Productions
Filmed: Northern Wisconsin
Post-Production: Los Angeles
Target Release: Summer/Fall 2027
Plot Details: Currently under wraps.
Photo Credit: Brittany Clark
