The sexual comedy No Hard Feelings used many filming locations to build its escapist New York setting. No Hard Feelings is loosely based on a true story, telling the tale of two middle-aged parents who hire a 32-year-old Uber driver named Maddie Barker (Jennifer Lawrence) to seduce their son Percy Becker (Andrew Barth Feldman) before he goes to Princeton University.
Although No Hard Feelings has a strong cast behind it, the movie flopped at the box office, gained mixed reviews, and received criticism for its creepy premise. Despite this, No Hard Feelings has also acquired praise for its solid acting, comedy, and cinematography. One element that strengthened the cinematography was its beautiful setting. The filming locations, as listed on IMDb, allowed for a breezy, escapist atmosphere that’s appealing in the raunchy rom-com genre.
Nassau County, NY
Though No Hard Feelings is set in Montauk, New York, they only spent one week filming on location. For the rest of the scenes, New York’s Nassau County doubled for the city located approximately 100 miles away. Both filming locations include water, beaches, and some greenery. The buildings give off simplistic and sleek vibes, making use of the contemporary architectural style. Every aspect of Nassau County helped set the scene for this modern, raunchy romantic comedy.
North Shore Animal League of America, Port Washington, NY
In No Hard Feelings, Maddie and Percy first meet in person at an animal shelter, where she attempts to invite him home. This culminates in a hilarious interaction where he sprays her with pepper spray, believing she’s a kidnapper. During the filming process of No Hard Feelings, North Shore Animal League’s Don and Karen Larocca Pet Wellness Center doubled for Rescue Friends Animal Shelter. Both locations capture the feeling of an animal shelter in an upscale neighborhood: well-kept, full of supplies, and sporting a fresh coat of paint.
Montauk Point Lighthouse, Montauk, NY
Maddie and Percy go on a date together in No Hard Feelings during which they get cozy. They sit on picnic tables, laughing and joking. In the background, a lighthouse reaches up to the sky. This sequence was one of the few scenes actually filmed on location, taking place in front of the Montauk Point Lighthouse. The world-famous lighthouse has a distinctive appearance that screams Long Island. Additionally, the light blue, slightly cloudy sky helps establish a romantic mood that pushes the two main characters together.
Gosman’s Dock, Montauk, NY
When Sara and Maddie meet up in No Hard Feelings, they sit at a restaurant out on the dock. The background shows multiple boats out on the water. Moreover, the tables have red and white decorative tablecloths. This scene, filmed at Gosman’s Dock in Montauk, depicts the vibes of an upscale New York eatery. The environment offers the perfect backdrop for No Hard Feelings. The slightly upper-scale setting differentiates the older women’s lives from that of the 19-year-old protagonist.
