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Ozark movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Ozark filmed?

2017

City Locations

Chicago, Atlanta, Flowery Branch, Canton, Braselton Gwinnett County, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree

Location Types

Architectural, American, Apartment, Cabin, Beach, Mansion, Naturescapes, Ranch, Rustic

Location Styles

Beachfront, Bungalow, Georgian, Hotel/ Motel Style

About Ozark

Ozark, a blockbuster Netflix series by creators Mark Williams and Bill Dubuque, finally came to a smashing four-season end in 2022. Ozark was met with suspicion and skepticism at its premiere because of several things happening, but not fast enough. Unfortunately, this seems to be the theme throughout the drama, suspense, and crime thriller. With its four seasons, Ozark is an Emmy-winning series often hailed as a masterstroke of American crime.

It follows the life of Marty Byrde (portrayed by Jason Bateman), his wife, Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney), and children Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) and Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz). Initially, it felt like Marty was going to be the heart and soul of the show and portray a middle-aged American man struggling to make ends meet. Viewers were in for quite a pleasant surprise! While it may seem like he's an upstanding member of society, Marty has actually struck a deal with a Mexican cartel to launder millions of dollars in exchange for not being shot in the head.

To make his dealings seem extremely innocent and by the law, Marty shifts his family to the nondescript Lake of Ozarks area in Missouri, where he meets crime prodigy Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner).

While it is a hit now, the first two seasons were not the greatest, with several viewers complaining about the constant bluish greyscale of the series to show audiences a dull, drab scenario. Unfortunately, this blue-grey also made the natural beauty of the best scenes in Ozark seem quite insipid and muted. Many critics feel it's only the masterful performance of Bateman and Linney that made the first two seasons viewable.

However, as the story takes off with some excellent plots, twists, and newer storylines, the naïve Marty Byrde becomes less and less obtuse to reveal a more sinister character that becomes tougher as the body count rises. While Wendy is more of a quintessential 'mom' character, viewers soon realize she's the actual strategic cold-hearted brain behind the show. While viewers believe it's Marty who made the diabolical deal with the devil, it's actually with his wife's blessing!

Ozark Locations

Like many other series and movies, the Ozark TV Show wasn't shot in Ozark, Missouri. Most of the Ozark filming locations are in and around Atlanta, Georgia. To be more specific, the Ozark locations are in the Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona areas. The drama and scenes were shot at Canton, Gwinnett County, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Norcross, and Peachtree.

The filming location of Ozark Season 1 was centered around Naperville in Chicago since it would be complicated to make Atlanta look like Chicago city proper. While the series didn't have much of a Midwest background, there was a strategic reason behind the Ozark production in Georgia. The Governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue, signed legislation to make the state more enticing to filmmakers and crew. In 2018, Georgia offered a 20% discount for all TV and Film productions that made a bill of more than $500,000 and an extra 10% for those that included the Georgian Peach logo. Spoiler alert: we’ve got great scenes here!

While there aren't many funny scenes in Ozark, it is humorous to think that most of the drinking, casino and restaurant scenes were shot wholly in Atlanta, with Atlanta's finest restaurant Bacchanalia renamed as the 'Oak & Sage' and Chops Lobster Bar as the cigar club! The city's famous dive bar Northside Tavern was used as a Kansas City bar in the series.

Fun fact:

Did you know that when the final (4th) season of Ozark debuted, it hit a whopping 4 billion minutes of viewing (Nielsen Ratings)? This shows the incredible popularity and fan following of the hit TV show!

Wendy's lover gets thrown from a building scene in Ozark

East Lake Street and North Garland Court, Chicago

At the start of Ozark, this shocking scene sets the tone for the grisly murders for viewers. In this scene, Marty Byrde stomps towards the Chicago office building of his wife Wendy's lover, Gary Silverberg, to confront him. As he's walking towards the building, he suddenly sees Gary's body hit the pavement with a smacking 'splat' sound. Gary was thrown off from one of the top floors, and his body fell right in front of Marty.

Marty is shocked, confused, and dazed. He glances around as people around him look at the body and quickly walks towards his car. As Marty is in the car, his phone rings. When he answers, it's mobster Del Rio (Esai Morales) calling from Wendy's phone, asking Marty, "Why does Wendy have a cashier's cheque for $29,650, Marty? You lied to me, Marty. She knows about our business." He offers to kill Wendy and solve the issue of her knowledge about the money laundering business. Marty smartly plays it right and buys him and Wendy some time.

This pivotal scene was shot at East Lake Street and North Garland Court in Downtown Chicago. Visitors can get to this iconic crossing by hopping on to the Orange Line in Chicago, getting off at State/Lake, and walking for 2 minutes to the intersection. While you may not get access to the building, you can stop off to have a hot dog at the vendor on the street and click some fantastic photos.

Ruth electrocuting Russ and Boyd scene in Ozark

6802 Gaines Ferry Road, Flowery Branch, GA

Still in season 1, when Ruth Langmore realizes her Uncle Russ has turned informant for the FBI, it is evident to all viewers that it is time for Russ to die. However, no one expected Ruth to do the deed herself! When her uncles, Russ and Boyd, decide to loot Marty's stash of cash and steer their little dinghy to the Byrde house, they are brutally electrocuted. Ruth rigs the water around the dock by electrically charging it. Russ and Boyd's deaths (while gruesome) set the tone for the fall of the Langmore family, who keep feeling it was Marty's fault.

In this scene, once Boyd and Russ reach the dock, Boyd tucks a gun into his denim pants while Russ reaches for the shore. As soon as he touches the metallic handrail, he gets electrocuted with Boyd screaming, "Russ! Russ!" Boyd touches Russ, and the current passes on to him as they both die a slow, agonizing death. The electricity starts fluctuating with street lights blowing out, lights flickering in the Byrde residence, and Marty proclaiming, "It's probably the transformer," not realizing that there have been two deaths just outside his house.

To get to the dock and the Byrde residence, visitors must drive via the I-85 to Lanier Islands Parkway. Once there, you can take Ferry Road to the dock. However, this is a private residence, so you may not be allowed on the property and may need to gain permission.

Del Rio ripping off Marty's toenails scene in Ozark

Chateau Elan Winery and Resort, Braselton, GA

This utterly horrific scene is part of the season finale of season 1, with Del Rio thinking Marty is responsible for the disappearance of one of Del's men. Del invites Marty to his house to 'talk' and starts asking him where his man is and how to find him. Marty tells him that he has no clue, but Del doesn't seem to believe Marty.

Del keeps asking Marty, "Where is he, Marty?" and Marty keeps replying, "I told you, I don't know." Then, in a twist of borderline madness, Del turns to his giant, burly henchman and nods towards Marty. The big man starts walking toward Marty with a pair of pliers in his hands. Marty starts stressing, "Hang on! I do not know where he is. I do not know where he is!" While he's still telling Del that he has no idea where the man is, Del's henchman pulls out Marty's toenail. While this is excruciatingly painful, and the toe is all bloody, Marty still calms down and tries to reason with Del – even through his pain!

This gory scene is shot at Chateau Elan, a gorgeous winery, and hotel in North Georgia. Chateau Elan is the East Coast's most famous winery that prides itself on its fantastic golf course and exclusive collection of wines. Visitors can easily get to Chateau Elan, an hour's drive from Atlanta City, via the I-85N. You could also book a trip to the Chateau and stay for some wine tasting and a round of golf.

Helen Pierce getting shot in the head scene in Ozark

Westview Abbey and Cemetery, Atlanta

As another gruesome scene unfolds in Ozark, the finale episode of season 3 has the unexpected death of poor Helen (who outlives her usefulness). Marty and Wendy Byrde reach the Spanish Mansion of cartel boss Omar Navarro (Felix Solis) with lawyer Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer) in this scene.

As the trio exits the car, Navarro walks out to greet them in a relaxed, casual manner. He greets them, saying, "Welcome. Thank you for coming. I hope you had a pleasant journey." As they catch up and smile at Navarro, an unseen henchman blows Helen's brains out with a gun, and the residual blood and brain bits splatter all over Marty and Wendy.

They're shocked, stunned, and flabbergasted, staring at Helen's dead body as it falls to the ground with a sick thudding sound. Navarro embraces Marty and Wendy while saying, "Today… Well, today is our beginning," as he smiles at them.

This horrifying scene is shot in one of the most serene places in Atlanta – the Westview Abbey and Cemetery. The chapel, built-in 1943, has intricate and ornate stained-glass windows that depict the nativity, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ. To get there, hop onto bus number 58 on the blue line, get off at the Ralph D Abernathy Blvd and W Lake Ave SW stop, and walk into the Westview Cemetery. However, you will have to drive or walk the remaining distance once you're in.

Javi Elizonndro kills Sheriff John Nix scene in Ozark

Woodlake Dr, off Buford Dam Rd

In this season 4 scene, Sheriff Nix (Robert Treveiler) goes to Helen Pierce's house to search for her and instead finds Javi Elizonndro (Alfonso Herrera), the nephew of mob boss Navarro living there. After Javi opens the door, he hones in on Sheriff Nix's badge and says, "You're the sheriff. Like, THE sheriff." He smiles and excuses himself to turn the volume down but turns it up instead. Before audiences know what's happening, Javi takes out a gun and shoots Sheriff Nix in the head and chest – right on Helen's front door. Ironic, isn't it?

Javi then bundles the sheriff's dead body in the patrol car and drives to the Byrde residence. He gets Wendy and Marty out and says, "I solved your problem. Come, have a look." Speechless, the Byrdes are looking over at the sheriff's corpse when Javi says, "You have a crematorium, right?"

This ghastly scene is shot at a private residence at Woodlake Dr, off Buford Dam Rd. While many visitors like to visit Ozark locations, private homes are usually closed to the public. You can click photographs from the street but must be respectful of the owner's privacy. You can visit spots around, like the Japanese restaurant for a bite and the pizza parlor nearby.

Darlene Snell and Wyatt Langmore getting killed scene in Ozark

777, Rivendell Lane, Alpharetta, GA

After getting together in the third season, Darlene Snell (Lisa Emery) and Wyatt Langmore (Charlie Tahan) were among the oddest couples in Ozark. Considering how many people Darlene killed off in the first part of season 4, her death wasn't exactly shocking. Wyatt and Darlene are on the couch in the Snell House, with baby Zeke in the background. They got married in the earlier seasons so Darlene could legally adopt Zeke.

It was a surprise for Ozark fans when trigger-happy Javi Elizonndro (who also killed off Sheriff Nix in episode 1) shoots Darlene square in the chest while she's uttering a not-so-sincere apology.

Wyatt Langmore is still shocked at his wife's dead body when Javi turns the gun on Wyatt and says, "Sorry. Whoever you are," and shoots him in the head with baby Zeke howling in the background. Javi simply leaves the crying baby and the rotting corpses for Ruth to find and walks away.

To get to the Snell House, a private residence at 777 Rivendell Lane, you will have to drive southwest on GA-372, turn right on Liberty Grove Rd, continue straight from the traffic circle, and turn slightly left onto Rivendell Ln. The Snell House should be on the right. However, as this is a private residence, you need to be mindful of the owner's privacy and take permission before clicking photographs.

Conclusion

Netflix's Ozark was a blood-soaked money-laundering drama that made most viewers squirm in their seats. This show screams of unpleasant, violent, sometimes grizzly scenes, all centered around a sleepy community where you wouldn't expect this kind of behavior from their peace-loving people.

It has everything from torture, betrayal, and love to family drama and murder. The excellent misadventures of the Byrdes and their children, fending off the FBI, protecting their 'business,' wheeling and dealing with the mafia and mob, and unfortunately making their son another Marty Byrde, takes a lot of commitment and passion.

Ozark was a masterful piece of art with ups, downs, excellent filming locations, and some heart-to-heart scenes that deal with the baser side of human instincts. It also blows people's beliefs, makes them rethink serious societal concerns, and questions their individual socioeconomic aspirations. While the Byrdes achieve their happy ending and get to live happily, viewers are left with a stark realization about the monsters projected on-screen and their influence on daily life.