Where was Domestic Disturbance filmed?
2001
City Locations
North Carolina (USA)
Location Types
School, Restaurant, Storefront, House, Riverside
Location Styles
Boat Style, Motel Style, Modern Building, Manufactured Home, Bed & Breakfast
About Domestic Disturbance
Domestic Disturbance is an American psychological thriller film directed by Harold Becker. The film features a cast of notable actors, including John Travolta, Teri Polo, Vince Vaughn, Steve Buscemi, Matt O'Leary, and Elijah Wood. The film showcases the lengths a father would go to protect his child, providing a suspenseful journey filled with danger and uncertainty.
The storyline revolves around Frank Morrison (John Travolta), a divorced boat builder who worries about his son Danny (Matthew O'Leary). Danny, an 11-year-old who tends to lie, has been troubled since his parent's separation. When Frank's ex-wife Susan (Teri Polo) reveals her plans to remarry Rick Barnes (Vince Vaughn) - a newcomer to their town and a well-known, affluent philanthropist - Frank grapples with feelings of envy.
Despite this, he hopes that Rick could provide a much-needed stable influence for his son. As Danny starts sharing disturbing tales about Rick, Frank initially dismisses them as the product of a rebellious phase. However, when Danny adamantly asserts that he has seen his new stepfather commit a murder, Frank's instincts urge him to believe his son's account. As Frank delves deeper into investigating this figure in his family's life, he uncovers truths about Rick.
Domestic Disturbance did not receive the best reception upon its release in 2001, with the consensus that the film was well-crafted but very predictable, making it an average thriller better suited for television viewing.
Domestic Disturbance Locations
Domestic Disturbance is a classic thriller filmed primarily around Wilmington, North Carolina. This particular area of the United States provides a unique backdrop for the filming of this movie, with its sandy beaches, lush forests, and historical landmarks.
Downtown Wilmington, St. Mary Catholic Church, Hotel Ballast (now the Hilton Wilmington Riverside), and rural areas in Hampstead provided backdrops for most scenes. In Southport, filming occurred at Howe Street and the River Oaks Motel, which changed to The Shady Tree Motel during production.
A trip to the Domestic Disturbance filming locations would be a great way to get a feel for what it was like to make the movie. You could explore downtown Wilmington and visit the now-closed Rhino Club, where several pivotal scenes came to life.
You could also get a feel for the rustic beauty of North Carolina by visiting Hampstead rural locations or even take a trip down Howe Street in Southport for some coastal charm. Along your journey, you could soak up all the landmarks that provided such a fantastic backdrop for this classic thriller movie and genuinely appreciate why Wilmington, North Carolina, was chosen to provide its unique atmosphere for Domestic Disturbance.
Frank presents a new boat for the customers' scene in Domestic Disturbance
Hampstead, North Carolina, USA
The film's opening credits offer captivating glimpses of the town of Southport, showcasing manufactured homes, the river, and boats. We get acquainted with Frank (John Travolta), a boat builder facing challenges. A celebration unfolds as he completes a new boat for his clients, marked by the popping of champagne.
Hampstead, North Carolina, served as the setting for the rural locations. It is also known as the “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas,” a nickname from its abundance of seafood vendors and restaurants on The Intracoastal Waterway.
If you plan to visit Hampstead, it's conveniently located off US 17 just north of Wilmington. It's only two hours south of Raleigh and four hours northeast of Charlotte and accessible by car or bus. You can find lodging options nearby, including hotels, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds, or even rent a houseboat for an authentic experience.
Frank and Susan arrived at Danny's school scene in Domestic Disturbance
New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA
Frank (John Travolta) and Susan (Teri Polo) attend their son, Danny (Matthew O'Leary) play but are unable to locate him. After a period of searching, they receive a call informing them that their son is at the police station. Upon arrival, they find a visibly distressed Danny, who resists explaining his situation, fostering an air of discomfort. It becomes apparent that Danny is displeased with his mother's impending remarriage.
The school's exterior was filmed outside New Hanover County Courthouse in Wilmington, North Carolina. The structure is a historical landmark and stands as a testament to the time that has passed since its construction in 1892. An annex was added to it in 1925, and fans can still visit it today, although it is not open for tourist purposes.
To visit this location, take an airplane to Wilmington International Airport or drive directly to downtown Wilmington. Once you reach downtown, follow N 3rd Street until you reach Princess Street, and you will see the New Hanover County Courthouse on your left side at the corner of those two streets.
The Shady Tree motel scene in Domestic Disturbance
The Inn At Southport, 512 N Howe St, Southport, NC 28461, USA
Rick (Vince Vaughn) travels to a compact motel where he meets a man named Ray Coleman (Steve Buscemi). Ray previously made an unexpected appearance at the wedding, asserting that he is Rick's former business partner. Before this, Rick and Ray had a rendezvous at the motel, where they reminisced about their shared prison experience and the outstanding debt Rick has towards Ray.
The exterior and interior scenes of the Shady Tree Motel were filmed at The Inn At Southport, formerly known as The Inn at River Oaks in Southport, North Carolina. This 1950s-era motel offers modern conveniences while maintaining its vintage charm, making it an excellent backdrop for this particular scene. The inn remains open, allowing fans to experience the filming location.
Fans can drive from Wilmington to Southport, North Carolina, to reach the famous filming spot. Once in Southport, visitors will find themselves downtown along N Howe St/US-87, where they will see The Inn At Southport, located on the north side of the town.
Frank drinks at the bar scene in Domestic Disturbance
Over The Border Tacos (former Rhino Club), 125 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
We see a dejected Frank (John Travolta) at a bar, drinking whisky to cope with the events that took place in court earlier in the day. He is visibly distressed, but when Theresa (Debra Mooney) arrives to comfort him, we can see his demeanor change. By the end of their conversation, Frank is smiling, showing signs of hope despite his unfortunate circumstances.
The scene was filmed at Over The Border Tacos on 125 N Market St in Wilmington. Although it's now a dine-in restaurant serving Mexican cuisine, it looks nothing like it did in 2001. At that time, Rhino Club was an underground joint with dim lighting and cozy booths – a perfect setting for this critical moment in the movie.
If you want to visit this location, get there via the train from Philadelphia station to Wilmington station and then walk down Market Street until you reach 125 N Market Street. The restaurant is just minutes from Rodney Square, another popular tourist location in Wilmington.
Conclusion
Domestic Disturbance is a decent thriller with a typical Hollywood idea of a good guy trying to save his former family from a dangerous and potentially destructive husband. John Travolta delivered a solid performance, giving us a likable protagonist to root for, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
The atmosphere created by Domestic Disturbance was quite intense at times, and the audience could feel for Frank Morrison as he faced this difficult situation. One issue with the movie is that there were some particularly confusing moments throughout it as key characters had no way of knowing where they should run or why they should be running at all.
Overall though, Domestic Disturbance is an enjoyable watch and worth checking out if you’re in the mood for a suspenseful thriller with plenty of surprises along the way. It may not have been groundbreaking in terms of its contribution to cinema, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth watching – thanks to solid performances from the villain Vince Vaughn, funny Steve Buscemi, and other actors involved, along with an intriguing storyline.
Fans who want to explore the filming locations of Domestic Disturbance also have lists of landmarks to visit.