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Sleeping with the Enemy movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Sleeping with the Enemy filmed?

1991

City Locations

Wrightsville Beach (USA), Abbeville (USA), Kure Beach (USA), Clinton (USA), Wilmington (USA)

Location Types

House, College, Unique

Location Styles

Beach House, Beachfront, Boat Style, Modern Building, Sail

About Sleeping with the Enemy

Sleeping with the Enemy follows the story of Laura Burney (Julia Roberts), a young woman who is married to an emotionally abusive and controlling husband (Patrick Bergin). To escape from the situation, she fakes her death, changes her identity, and moves far away.

However, unbeknownst to her, Martin tracks her down to Cedar Falls, Iowa. On the run once again, Laura must do everything in her power to protect herself from Martin's wrath and find a way out of the dangerous situation she finds herself in.

The suspenseful thriller highlights the nature of abusive relationships and how difficult it can be for someone in such a toxic environment to break free. Despite being met with negative reviews from critics when it first came out in 1991, Sleeping with the Enemy was an incredible box office hit. The film raked over 175 million dollars on a 19 million dollar budget and still stands as one of Julia Roberts' most successful films three devices later.

Sleeping with the Enemy Locations

Released in 1991, Sleeping with the Enemy was primarily filmed in locations between North and South Carolina in the United States of America. The majority of scenes were shot in Wilmington, NC, a beautiful city with nearby beaches, creeks, and rivers.

Wilmington is known for its rich history as well as its cultural attractions, including the historic downtown markets, art galleries, museums, and botanical gardens. Taking a walk down memory lane to visit the filming locations for Sleeping with the Enemy would be an inviting experience for movie fans.

Along with setting your eyes on some of the settings seen in the movie, including Wrightsville Beach or Masonboro Island State Reserve (both popularized by the film), visitors can also explore landmarks around town like Airlie Gardens or Tryon Palace.

Since Wilmington is located so close to South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach area, one of America's premier beach vacation destinations, it is easy to make a day trip over to explore more of what both states have to offer.

Fun Facts:

To make the ending more intense, director Joseph Ruben shot two endings. In one version Martin (Patrick Berg), Laura’s husband, survives and goes after her. Another conclusion to the psychological thriller sees his character dies at the end.

Laura is presumed dead scene in Sleeping with the Enemy

Kure Beach, 601 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC 28449, United States

Knowing Laura's (Julia Roberts) fear of water and inability to swim, Martin (Patrick Bergin) still takes up the offer of an evening sail from their neighbor who happens to be a doctor. Caught in a sudden and fierce storm, both men struggle to keep the floating vessel under control, but Laura is swept overboard and lost at sea. Despite an extensive search by the Coast Guard, she is presumed dead, leaving Martin grief-stricken and inconsolable.

Kure Beach is a charming coastal town located on the eastern coast of North Carolina in the United States. This small community, with a population of just over 2,000 people, is known for its pristine beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and family-friendly activities.

Another must-visit attraction in Kure Beach is the Fort Fisher State Historic Site, which was a major Confederate fort during the Civil War. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the fort, learn about its history, and take guided tours of the site.

If you are driving from Wilmington, take US-421 South to Fort Fisher Boulevard South, which will lead you straight to 601 Fort Fisher Blvd S. If you are coming from the south, take US-17 North and turn onto NC-211 East, which will eventually lead you to Fort Fisher Boulevard South.

Laura moving to the Iowa scene in Sleeping with the Enemy

404 Magazine St, Abbeville, SC 29620, USA

After lying to Martin about her mother's (Elizabeth Lawrence) death, Laura relocates her blind and stroke-impaired mother to an Iowa nursing home before moving to Cedar Falls, Iowa. There, she adopts a new identity as "Sara Waters," renting a house and finding a job as she begins to build a new life.

Situated in the center of downtown Abbeville, Louisiana, Magazine Street is a lively and thriving thoroughfare. It's a historic street that teems with quaint boutiques, unique retail outlets, and cozy cafes, making it a favorite with both locals and tourists.

One of the most remarkable features of Magazine Street is its splendid architecture. A majority of buildings lining the area date back to the early 1900s and are characterized by intricate detailing, ornate designs, and rich history. Visitors can stroll down the street, marveling at the numerous storefronts and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling commercial district.

If you are driving to 404 Magazine St in Abbeville, Louisiana, the easiest way is to take LA-14 (West Summers Dr) if you are coming from the north or south.

Martin finds the ring scene in Sleeping with the Enemy

Shell Island Resort Hotel, 2700 N Lumina Ave, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480, United States

Martin receives information that suggests Laura may still be alive, which is later confirmed when he finds her wedding ring in the toilet of their beach house. Laura left the place in a hurry, and in the process, forgot to check if the ring had been flushed down the toilet as planned.

Shell Resort Hotel is a luxurious oceanfront property located in the charming coastal town of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. This stunning resort offers guests unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as easy access to some of the area's top attractions and activities.

The resort also offers an array of on-site amenities and services, including a full-service spa, fitness center, and indoor and outdoor pools. Guests can enjoy a relaxing massage or facial at the spa, work out in the fitness center, or take a dip in the pool while enjoying breathtaking views of the ocean.

Assuming you are traveling from Wilmington, take Eastwood Road/ Military Cutoff Road and navigate your way to 2700 N Lumina Ave.

Ben meets Laura near the library scene in Sleeping with the Enemy

Presbyterian College, 503 S Broad St, Clinton, SC 29325, United States

Ben (Kevin Anderson) is waiting for Laura to finish her work at the college library. He asks if she likes her new job, and Laura responds that she adores it because she likes books. Ben says he suspects her name isn't Sara, because she didn't reply when he called her name the day before. Ben asks her to give him a chance to know the real Laura better.

Presbyterian College is a private, liberal arts college located in the charming town of Clinton, South Carolina. Founded in 1880 by members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the college has a proud heritage of academic excellence and community service.

The campus rests on a lot that is over 240 acres with beautiful, rolling hills and features several historic buildings and modern facilities. Students have access to state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and research centers, as well as an extensive library and numerous recreational amenities.

If you're driving from the north, you can take I-85 S and navigate to 503 S Broad St.

Martin finds Laura at the carnival scene in Sleeping with the Enemy

Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Martin finds out where Laura is and he also learns about Ben. He sees how Laura and Ben riding a Ferris wheel, laughing and hugging. Martin becomes angrier and follows the couple to Laura's house. He enters the house without permission.

Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington, North Carolina is a major thoroughfare that connects Wilmington to the popular tourist destination of Carolina Beach. The road is approximately 13 miles long and offers easy access to a wide range of attractions and amenities, making it a popular route.

Starting from Wilmington, Carolina Beach Road runs south along the eastern coast of North Carolina, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Along the way, visitors will pass through several charming coastal communities, including Myrtle Grove and Silver Lake.

If you are coming from the north, take US-17 S/US-74 E to NC-421 S/Carolina Beach Rd., then continue straight onto Carolina Beach Rd until you reach your destination. From the south, take US-17 N to NC-421 S/Carolina Beach Rd. Once on Carolina Beach Rd., continue straight until you reach your destination.

Conclusion

Any huge fan of Julia Roberts’ flicks who wants to make a trip through the filming locations of one of her best movies should place Sleeping with the Enemy on their top list. Some of the other locations seen in the film worth a stopover include the Abbeville Opera House, where they filmed the scene with Laura on a swing.

When Laura is fleeing to Iowa in a bus, they pass a square which is the court square in Abbeville. The City Square in Abbeville also provided the setting for the parade scene. Part of the bus sequence was also filmed at Laurens County, and Highway 221 South is where they shot the “Welcome to Iowa” sign.

The swimming sequence at least part of it, was filmed at the Converse University, Spartanburg. On the Spartanburg Community College, there is a building that once served as the old Spartanburg Country Nursing Home. A section of the structure was remodeled by Sleeping with the Enemy production team to film some scenes of the movie.

Overall, Sleeping with the Enemy showcases a range of beautiful landscapes while telling an interesting story about one woman's fight for freedom against an oppressive life of domestic abuse.