FILM LOCATIONS: THE HOUSEMAID
Film Locations: The Housemaid
12th of Jan, 2025.
The Housemaid (2025) Filming Locations: A Must-See Guide for Film Location Managers & Scouts
Key Takeaways:
Prime Film Location Opportunities in New Jersey – The Housemaid showcases high-value, diverse shooting environments across Northern New Jersey, from historic mansions and university halls to iconic urban and suburban streetscapes — ideal for future productions seeking versatile real-world settings.
Real Properties Driving Narrative Impact – The production used genuine homes, institutions, streets and landmarks as integral elements of the story’s psychological tension, offering location owners a benchmark for cinematic appeal.
Why Film Locations Matter
In the era of immersive, location-driven cinema, The Housemaid (2025) stands out as a case study in how real-world settings elevate narrative impact and production value. Directed by Paul Feig and anchored by the talents of Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, the film was shot entirely on-location across Northern New Jersey, USA — firmly placing this region on the map for international location scouts and production companies.
Banstead House, a family home film location in Surrey.
Spotlight: The Winchester Home – Madison Mansion
At the heart of the film’s visual identity is the Winchester family home — a striking historic mansion at 158 Green Avenue, Madison, New Jersey. Built in 1909, this six-bedroom estate with sweeping lawns and elegant architectural detail served as both the exterior and interior set for many key scenes. Its blend of classic charm and cinematic unease made it perfect for a psychological thriller setting.
For location owners, properties like this demonstrate how period architecture and spacious grounds can become central characters in a film’s storytelling.
Academic & Institutional Settings – Morristown
The Housemaid utilised several community and academic locales in Morristown, Morris County, such as:
Saint Elizabeth University – Santa Maria Hall (interiors and architectural backdrops)
The Peck School (exteriors doubling as narrative anchors)
The Madison Hotel (additional scene work)
These multifaceted sites show how institutional settings can enhance production scope and offer cinematic variety — whether for controlled interior shots or period-neutral exteriors.
Borough Recreation Grounds, an institutional film location in London
Suburban & Urban Spaces – Bergen & Essex Counties
Northern New Jersey’s suburban neighbourhoods and urban features also appear prominently, including:
Green Way Markets and main streets, Ridgewood — town centre shoots showing everyday suburban life.
Rutt’s Hut, Clifton — a famous local hot-dog restaurant used for food-scene authenticity.
Lackawanna Station and DanceWorks Studios, Montclair — transit and studio spaces for character moments.
Rosedale Cemetery, Montclair — atmospheric exterior setting.
Cresskill residential streets — seamless suburban backdrops.
These diverse backdrops — ranging from classic stations to vibrant commercial streets — illustrate how everyday locales can gain cinematic depth with thoughtful cinematography and production design.
Production Timeline & Approach
Principal photography for The Housemaid began in early January 2025 in New Jersey and wrapped by March 2025, demonstrating how a well-coordinated location schedule across multiple towns can deliver high production value within a concise timeline.
The decision to centre filming in real townscapes and recognisable properties underscores a growing trend: location authenticity resonates with audiences and supports narrative realism.
Why New Jersey Works for Film & TV
Northern New Jersey has increasingly become a magnet for high-profile productions, offering:
Architectural diversity — from historic estates to classic urban cores
Proximity to New York City — easy logistics for cast, crew and transport
Supportive local film offices and community cooperation
Unique local businesses and cultural touchstones that enrich storytelling
For location owners considering pitching their properties to scouts, these attributes are invaluable.
The Housemaid exemplifies how strategic location choices can elevate a film’s aesthetic and narrative impact. From grand mansions to community hubs, these New Jersey sites provided a dynamic canvas for the thriller’s tense psychological drama.
For film location managers, scouts, production companies, and location owners alike, understanding how these environments were used offers a blueprint for future successful collaborations.
Thinking of Listing Your Property With SL?
If you’re a homeowner, venue operator or landowner and you’ve ever wondered whether your space could work for film or TV — the answer is usually yes.
SL offers:
full guidance on how to prepare your property
access to professional photography
exposure to scouts, location managers and producers
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