‘Monster’ is a legal-drama movie based on the 1999 novel by Walter Dean Myers. The movie is about crime, punishment, how society sees people, and second chances. The story is about Steve Harmon which is played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., a smart and talented aspiring filmmaker from Harlem, New York. His life changes completely when he is accused of being involved in a deadly convenience store robbery. Charged with felony murder, Steve tries to hold on to his dreams and individuality while the legal system and society call him a monster.
Steve’s loving parents, played by Jennifer Hudson and Jeffrey Wright, are supportive of him, but they also confront social censure. Katherine O’Brien, played by Jennifer Ehle, provides him with assistance. Even if she does not completely believe in his innocence, she defends him in court as best she can. Anthony Mandler, a well-known music video filmmaker, directed the film, with David Devlin (‘War of the Worlds’) serving as director of photography. If you’re curious about where the movie was shot, here’s the information!
Where was “Monster” Filmed?
‘Monster’ was filmed in many locations in New York City, including Harlem. The prison scenes were shot at the county jail in East Meadow, NY. The major filming began in early October 2016 and lasted approximately a month. Let us examine these locations in depth.
New York City, New York
A large portion of ‘Monster’ was filmed in Harlem. This is the Upper Manhattan neighborhood where Steve lived and spent his time before being arrested. It is where he honed his filming abilities. He uses a modest camera or phone to capture Harlem’s lively and ethnic life. Director Anthony Mandler posted numerous photographs from Harlem on his Instagram account.
The production team also filmed various scenes on the stages at Cinema World Studios, located at 220 Dupont Street in Brooklyn. This studio has also filmed episodes of ‘The Good Wife,’ ‘The Blacklist,’ and ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Producer Nikki Silver can be seen interacting with fellow producer Tonya Lewis Lee and director Mandler in one of the Instagram photographs she has posted.
East Meadow, New York
In ‘Monster,’ Nassau County Jail (located at 100 Carman Ave) in East Meadow, New York, is used to show Steve’s tough prison life. East Meadow is a small area in Nassau County (Long Island), New York. It has also been used as a filming location for movies like ‘The Bourne Legacy’ and ‘Morning Glory.’ Producer Nikki Silver posted a photo on Instagram from the prison set.
By filming in these real locations, ‘Monster’ captures the true essence of the story, making it more authentic and impactful for the viewers.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Monster
Q: Where was ‘Monster’ filmed?
A: ‘Monster’ was filmed in various locations in New York City, including Harlem and Brooklyn. Some scenes were also shot at the Nassau County Jail in East Meadow, New York.
Q: When was the filming of ‘Monster’ done?
A: The principal photography for ‘Monster’ began in early October 2016 and lasted about a month, wrapping up in November 2016.
Q: Which specific locations in New York City were used for filming?
A: In New York City, significant portions of ‘Monster’ were filmed in Harlem, where the main character Steve Harmon lives. The production also utilized the stages at Cinema World Studios in Brooklyn for several scenes.
Q: Why was Harlem chosen as a filming location for ‘Monster’?
A: Harlem was chosen as a filming location because it is the home and stomping ground of the main character, Steve Harmon. It adds authenticity to the story as Steve captures the vibrant life of Harlem with his camera.
Q: When was ‘Monster’ released?
A: ‘Monster’ premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2018, and was later released to the general public on May 7, 2021 on Netflix.
