Where was Gone Girl filmed?
2014
City Locations
Missouri, Illinois, California (USA)
Location Types
House, Mansion, Bar, Hotel
Location Styles
Cape Cod, Resort, Rustic, Camper, Colonial, Retreat
About Gone Girl
Two of David Fincher's most noteworthy films, Seven and Zodiac, have more in common than merely exploring the theme of serial killers. They are crafted to induce a sense of unease in the audience yet cleverly refrain from delivering the anticipated emotional relief. This approach is also evident in Gone Girl, his rendition of Gillian Flynn's famous novel, which seamlessly aligns with this distinctive narrative style. Gone Girl, a 2014 thriller from director David Fincher, stars Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. The film tells the tale of Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), whose spouse, Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike), mysteriously vanishes on the couple's fifth wedding anniversary. As the probe into her sudden disappearance deepens, suspicion casts a shadow over Nick, placing him as the leading suspect in her case. The film was adapted for the screen by author Gillian Flynn, who wrote the bestselling novel on which it is based. Gone Girl received widespread critical acclaim and was a box-office success upon its release. Pike's portrayal received high criticism and earned her nominations for prestigious awards such as the Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award in the Best Actress category. Overall, Gone Girl is regarded as a postmodern mystery that has become one of the most iconic films of its decade.
Gone Girl Locations
Gone Girl was filmed almost entirely in and around Cape Girardeau, eastern Missouri. Set in North Carthage, a fictitious town of the same name, viewers were captivated by the beautiful backdrop of this rural Midwest town. From the city limits to surrounding wooded areas, Gone Girl successfully captured a small-town atmosphere that will have audiences feeling like they are right there with Nick and Amy. Notable landmarks such as Beso Hollywood, situated at 6350 Hollywood Boulevard at Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles, are featured in the film. This glamorous restaurant is co-owned by none other than 'Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria and celebrity chef Todd English. The film also takes us to Fremont Place, a posh gated community just south of Wilshire Boulevard, which is no stranger to the limelight. As viewers, we get a sneak peek into the essence of various cities through the magic of filming. For movie fans looking for a trip down memory lane or a unique adventure into a new area, a visit to these locations for Gone Girl is definitely worthwhile. From enjoying local flavors at Beso Hollywood to soaking in the culture of Cape Girardeau and its surrounding townships, there are plenty of activities to occupy one’s time while exploring these destinations associated with Gone Girl.
Nick visits 'The Bar' scene in Gone Girl
Socials Cafe & Catering, 117 Themis St, Cape Girardeau, MO
Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy's (Rosamund Pike) 5th wedding anniversary morning is marked by Amy's traditional scavenger hunt. However, Nick seems uneasy and reluctant to participate in the festivities. This scene subtly hints at the cracks in their seemingly perfect marriage and sets the tone for the mysterious events. Nick brings Margo (Carrie Coon) a Mastermind board game, which she casually tosses into a pile of others. The exchange is mundane yet telling of their close bond. The dialogue is minimal, but the undercurrents of tension are palpable. As Margo pours both a drink, Nick's distress is evident, indicating that all is not well in paradise. The bar, a central location in the film, is at 117 Themis Street on the corner of North Spanish Street. Interestingly, the property was formerly Socials Cafe & Catering and was vacant while filming. The bar, jointly owned by Nick and Margo in the film, is a critical setting for several pivotal scenes. You must head to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to reach this iconic location. If traveling by air, the closest major airport is St. Louis Lambert International Airport. From there, it's approximately a two-hour drive to Cape Girardeau. Once in the city, you can easily find your way to Themis Street and North Spanish Street, where the bar stands.
St. Louis Filming Locations Search
Detectives arrive to inspect the house scene in Gone Girl
3014 Keystone Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO
Detective Rhonda Boney (Kim Dickens) and Officer Jim Gilpin (Patrick Fugit) arrive to inspect the scene. As they move through the house, subtle clues hint at the situation's complexity. A small splatter of blood above the kitchen range suggests a violent encounter. The wall adorned with "Amazing Amy" book covers - a series penned by Amy's parents - further underscores the stark contrast between the fictional and real Amy (Rosamund Pike). Detective Boney, a fan of the series, is surprised to learn that Nick (Ben Affleck) is married to the real-life inspiration behind the beloved character. This scene was filmed at a suburban house at 3014 Keystone Drive, near the Cape Woods Conservation Area in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The house, built in 1993, serves as the exterior for the Dunne’s home. However, the interiors were created on a separate soundstage and not inside the actual house. Once in Cape Girardeau, navigate to Keystone Drive near the Cape Woods Conservation Area. Although you won't be able to see the interior sets used in the movie, the house's exterior still offers fans a tangible connection to the film.
Amy hides at a resort scene in Gone Girl
Giant City State Park Lodge & Restaurant, 460 Giant City Lodge Rd, Makanda, IL
Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) hides out at a resort under the pseudonym Nancy. She fabricates an elaborate narrative of escaping an abusive boyfriend, even going as far as to injure herself with a hammer to make her story convincing. She befriends a woman named Greta (Lola Kirke), sharing a part-true, part-fabricated tale about her husband, Nick (Ben Affleck). With everything falling into place, Amy decides to delay her planned suicide, extending her game of deception. This gripping scene was filmed at Giant City State Park Lodge, located at 460 Giant City Lodge Road, Makanda, Illinois. The lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, perfectly captures the park's spirit and is an apt backdrop for Amy's hideout. Visitors are welcome at the park, allowing Gone Girl fans to walk in Amy's footsteps and experience the thrill of being at a key filming location. To visit this location, you must head to Makanda, Illinois. The nearest major airport is St. Louis Lambert International Airport, from where it's approximately a two-hour and a half drive to Makanda. Once in Makanda, navigate to Giant City Lodge Road to reach the state park.
Filming Locations Exploration
Margo's house scene in Gone Girl
2404 Albert Rasche Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO
It's late, and Margo (Carrie Coon) has retired for the night when Nick (Ben Affleck) receives a text message that reads, "I'm outside." He opens the back door to find Andie (Emily Ratajkowski), a young woman who immediately begins kissing him. The clandestine nature of their meeting, coupled with Nick's insistence that Andie hasn't revealed their affair or his plans to divorce Amy (Rosamund Pike), throws a new light on Nick's character and adds complexity to the unfolding mystery. This pivotal scene was filmed at a privately owned property at 2404 Albert Rasche Dr. in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. This house serves as the exterior of Margo's residence in the film. While Gone Girl fans might be excited to visit this filming location, it's important to note that the house is private property. Therefore, fans should respect the owners' privacy and limit their visit to an exterior observation. You must travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to reach this location. The city is approximately a 40-minute from Sikestone and 15 minutes from Jackson by car. Regrettably, public transportation is currently unavailable.
Nick meets Sharon for an interview scene in Gone Girl
InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA
Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) meets Sharon Shieber (Sela Ward) for a televised interview. As they sit down to talk, a surprising revelation hits the news: Andie Fitzgerald (Emily Ratajkowski), Nick's mistress, has confessed to their affair at a press conference, flanked by Amy's parents. This bombshell revelation is witnessed simultaneously by Desi Collings (Neil Patrick Harris), Amy (Rosamund Pike), and Sharon. In his interview, Nick makes a heartfelt declaration of love to his missing wife and subtly signals to her by mentioning the woodshed and placing two fingers on his chin, gestures he knows Amy would recognize. This emotionally charged scene takes place in the opulent lobby of the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City, located at 2151 Avenue of the Stars. The hotel's sleek, modern design is the perfect backdrop for this high-stakes media moment. Conveniently situated among bars, restaurants, and a park, and just a short distance from the affiliated Armand Hammer Museum, the hotel is open to visitors, allowing fans of "Gone Girl" to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of this crucial scene. You must travel to Los Angeles, California, to reach this location. Once in the city, head to Century City, a neighborhood accessible from various parts of Los Angeles. The InterContinental Los Angeles Century City is located on Avenue of the Stars, a major thoroughfare.
Amy stages a brutal r*pe scene in Gone Girl
104 Fremont Pl, Los Angeles, CA
Discovering that Desi (Neil Patrick Harris) has installed security cameras throughout the property, Amy (Rosamund Pike) finds herself virtually a prisoner in his house. She stages a brutal r*pe while Desi is at work in a chilling display of calculated deception. She drenches her nightgown with red wine, secures her hands and feet, and then crawls towards the camera, simulating distress to create the illusion of being assaulted. The exterior shots for Desi's lavish mansion were filmed in the upscale Hancock Park district in Los Angeles, specifically in Fremont Place, an exclusive gated community south of Wilshire Boulevard. The exact address is 104 Fremont Place, a property that has graced the silver screen before as the residence of George Valentin in the Oscar-winning film "The Artist." The interior scenes, however, were shot on a separate set in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Fremont Place is easily accessible from various parts of the city. If you're coming from downtown LA, head west towards Wilshire Boulevard. From there, navigate your way to the gated community of Fremont Place. It's important to remember that this is a private residence within a gated community, so please respect the residents' privacy and limit your visit to viewing the property from outside the gate.
Conclusion
The filming locations chosen for Gone Girl played a pivotal role in shaping this suspenseful thriller's atmospheric and immersive experience. With its small-town charm, Missouri was the perfect backdrop for the enigmatic town of North Carthage, where the mystery unfolds. The Missouri locations, including Cape Girardeau and Jackson, lent authenticity to the story's Midwestern setting. California's impressive landscapes, such as the rugged terrains, captured the essence of the wilderness that plays a significant role in the plot. The locales in California infused the film with a sense of isolation and tension, contrasting with the bustling urban settings. In combination, the filming locations across Missouri, Illinois, and California seamlessly wove together the intricate narrative of Gone Girl, enhancing the overall experience and leaving an indelible mark on viewers. These locales not only served as a backdrop but became integral characters in the story, contributing to the film's success as a cinematic masterpiece.