No matter where they live, audiences around the country can now see St. Louis on their screens. Soul on Fire, filmed in St. Louis about the life of St. Louisan John O’Leary, is currently ranked No. 2 on Netflix.
“This is an incredible moment for St. Louis and proof of what’s possible when a powerful story is paired with what our film-friendly city can deliver,” said Kelley Hiatt, Manager of the St. Louis Film Office, a subset of Explore St. Louis. “St. Louis is essentially a character in this film, and audiences are seeing our city’s energy, authenticity and cinematic range on a national platform.”
Shooting “Soul on Fire” in St. Louis where its story took place “added authenticity, said Director Sean McNamara. “From St. Louis University to Bush Stadium, we were treated like royalty. Looking forward to shooting in St Louis again soon.”
The Bottom Line
The film was the first to use Missouri’s Motion Media Production tax incentive, known as the Show MO Act, passed in 2023. The incentive has paved the way for a resurgence of film projects across the state and region. During filming, these projects, like “Soul on Fire,” boost economic impact, from employing local talent to booking hundreds of hotel rooms. According to Explore St. Louis, experienced crews, a broad location portfolio, and a growing ecosystem add to the region’s appeal for film producers. And the results are evident: there was more than $10 million in overall production spend in St. Louis in 2025.