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| Where Was Black and Blue Filmed? Inside the Real New Orleans Locations Behind the Netflix Crime Thriller. (Credits: Netflix) |
Netflix’s addition of Black and Blue has quietly reignited interest in one of the most location-driven action thrillers of the past decade, with viewers now zeroing in on the film’s gritty, unmistakably real-world backdrop. Far from a generic cityscape, the film’s setting is inseparable from its story — and that has sent fans searching for the exact streets, buildings and corners where Alicia West’s story unfolded.
What makes the curiosity more intense is the fact that not every filming site was publicly disclosed during production. Like many mid-budget action projects, parts of the shoot were deliberately kept under wraps to avoid disruption.
Still, enough has surfaced to map out a clear picture: this is a film deeply rooted in New Orleans, and it uses the city not just as a backdrop but as a character in its own right.
At the centre of the story is Alicia West, played by Naomie Harris, a rookie police officer navigating corruption, survival and truth after capturing a fatal incident on her body cam.
Supported by Tyrese Gibson, alongside Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, Reid Scott, and Beau Knapp, the film leans heavily on tension that feels grounded — largely because the environment itself is real, lived-in and recognisable.
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| Netflix |
Production for Black and Blue took place entirely in Louisiana, with New Orleans serving as the primary hub.
Filming began around mid-January 2019 and wrapped roughly six weeks later in late February. Director Deon Taylor made a deliberate choice to shoot on location rather than replicate the setting elsewhere, a decision that pays off in every frame.
New Orleans’ Ninth Ward becomes the emotional and visual anchor of the film.
This is where Alicia’s journey unfolds — a neighbourhood with a layered history that adds weight to the narrative. The production team leaned into the area’s raw authenticity, capturing streets and housing structures that reinforce the film’s grounded tone rather than stylising it.
One of the most talked-about filming spots is the former DeGaulle Manor Housing Project in Algiers.
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| Netflix |
Once a densely populated residential complex, it had been vacated years before filming began, offering a controlled yet realistic environment for interior scenes. In the film, this location doubles as the drug dealers’ apartment, providing a tense, enclosed setting that amplifies key moments.
Just next door, Evergreen Supermarket on Sandra Drive also features in the film.
This seemingly ordinary retail space becomes part of the story’s urban fabric, reflecting how the production used everyday locations rather than constructed sets. The choice adds a layer of immediacy that viewers have picked up on since the film’s Netflix resurgence.
Another striking location is the Market Street Power Plant along the Mississippi River.
Though no longer operational, the structure’s industrial scale and weathered surfaces lend themselves perfectly to the film’s darker sequences. Its presence reinforces the sense of decay and tension that runs through the narrative.
The production also moved into the Garden District, specifically Lafayette Cemetery No. 2.
Spanning several acres, the cemetery’s historic tombs and distinctive layout provide a visually rich contrast to the film’s urban chase sequences.
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| Netflix |
It is one of New Orleans’ most recognisable landmarks, and its inclusion adds both texture and atmosphere.
Beyond these core sites, the film subtly incorporates nearby areas and visual markers tied to the wider New Orleans landscape.
Bridges crossing the Mississippi, residential streets with raised houses, and the city’s signature architectural details all make their way into the film.
These elements are not always foregrounded, but they shape the viewing experience in ways that feel organic rather than staged.
Director Deon Taylor has been vocal about why New Orleans was essential to the project. For him, the city’s texture — from its music and art to its ageing infrastructure — could not be replicated elsewhere.
That philosophy extended to hiring local crew and talent, ensuring the film retained a sense of place that studio productions often struggle to achieve.
Online, reactions to the filming locations have been varied but engaged. Some viewers have praised the film for capturing a side of New Orleans that feels unfiltered, calling it one of the more authentic depictions in recent action cinema.
Others have admitted they were surprised to learn how many real locations were used, especially those that appear almost too cinematic to be genuine.
A growing number of fans are now treating the film as an informal travel guide, mapping out potential visits to these sites.
There is also a quieter conversation among audiences about access.
While certain locations like Lafayette Cemetery and parts of the Garden District remain open to visitors, others — particularly former housing complexes or industrial sites — are not designed for tourism. That distinction has only added to the intrigue, creating a mix of reachable and off-limits places tied to the film.
For viewers revisiting Black and Blue on Netflix, the locations now carry a different weight. What once felt like background detail has become part of the appeal, turning the film into a layered experience that blends story with geography.
And with interest continuing to build, there is a strong chance more filming details will surface over time.
If more locations are confirmed, Tonboriday will continue updating the map behind the film. Until then, the question lingers — would stepping into Alicia West’s New Orleans change how you see the story, or make it hit even harder?