Inside the quiet KC nature sanctuary that transformed into Rob Riggle’s latest thriller

BUCKNER, Mo. (KCTV) - Rob Riggle’s newest movie “Don’t Move,” focuses on a church group road trip that quickly goes wrong. Ironically, the way the Hollywood production found its way to rural Missouri came together much the same way.

A little luck and a lot of word of mouth.

A location scout looking for the perfect secluded backdrop stumbled across Milo Farm, a property tucked into the rolling countryside near Buckner, east of Kansas City.

“The land scout called me and said he was looking for a place that had a forest and maybe some ravines and maybe some fields, and his friend told him about Milo Farm,” Loni Louise Bernard, Milo Farm owner, said.

The film crew spent 17 days shooting the movie last year, with most of the time spent at Milo Farm.

The cameras and production trucks have long since packed up, but the movie’s footprint remains unmistakable. The most prominent remnant is a full-scale replica of a Civil War-era cabin built specifically for the film. Crafted by a set designer who also works on “Yellowstone,” the pivotal movie set still stands largely untouched with movie props still inside.

“They were out here building the cabin for a few weeks and show five or eight days. There were so many people. A lot of times they shot at night. So, they would start arriving at 2, start getting ready at 4 and the sun would start to go down around six,” Bernard said. “They had lighting booms, so it made this area look like there was a full moon.”

The only thing that changed over the past year is a newly added sign near the doorway marking its big-screen history.

Behind the Hollywood lore and horror-thriller storyline of “Don’t Move” lies a mission that could not be further from the chaos depicted on screen.

For more than a decade, Milo Farm has served as a peaceful 50-acre spiritual retreat and nature sanctuary. Operating as a nonprofit, the land is dedicated to holistic healing, spiritual wellness, and opening up nature to people who may not otherwise have easy access to green spaces.

Today, visitors wandering past the film set find a working organic farm surrounded by miles of trails, stocked ponds, an art studio, an observatory, and an outdoor temple.

Those looking for an immersive getaway can stay overnight in a variety of unique accommodations—including a handcrafted “hobbit hut,” a vintage tiki trailer, traditional vardos, a communal bunkhouse, and a retreat lodge.

“We do sound healing and there’s a lot of meditation events here. we try to bring in people that need to get to nature. This land is so magical. We have five ecosystems. We have a cedar forest, an oak forest, a hardwood forest, a pollinator field,” Bernard said.

While the farm may have briefly served as the backdrop for high-stakes Hollywood suspense, its long-term purpose remains grounded in simplicity. It offers a quiet, sacred space where the community can unplug, recharge, and heal. There are daypasses and weekend camping options available as well as longer stays and community events. More information about Milo Farm can be found online at milofarm.com and on the farm’s Facebook page.