The new Netflix thriller "The Whisper Man," starring Adam Scott and Robert De Niro, utilized numerous locations across New Jersey for its filming, aiming to match the movie's dark and somber atmosphere. The production team chose the Garden State for its diverse settings, which ranged from a historic house in Plainfield to the exteriors of a state prison.
The film, directed by James Ashcroft and based on Alex North's 2019 novel, centers on a crime novelist, Tom Kennedy (Scott), whose son is abducted. The kidnapping echoes the crimes of a serial killer previously apprehended by Tom's estranged father, a retired cop played by De Niro. This parallel forces the father and son to confront their issues while working together.
While the movie is set in the fictional town of Garretton, New Jersey, the production team used a variety of real locations throughout the state. Director James Ashcroft noted that while filming across New Jersey presented logistical challenges due to frequent location changes, he appreciated the opportunity to film on location.
Key Filming Locations
One prominent filming site was a house in Plainfield, which served as the residence for Tom Kennedy and his son. Ashcroft described the house as being over 100 years old, with a rich history that contributed to its character. While exterior shots and some interior scenes were filmed at this Plainfield house, the basement scenes were shot on a custom-built set.
Robert De Niro's character, Pete, resided in a home located in Scotch Plains. The reunion scene between Tom and his father took place at the Westwood Diner Pancake House in Westwood.
For the prison scenes, the exteriors were filmed near the East Jersey State Prison in Woodbridge Township, which the movie names Rahway Prison. The interior prison sequences were filmed at the Hudson County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center in Kearny.
Other specific locations included Wilson Elementary School in Westfield for Jake's elementary school scenes and the former United Way building in Montclair, now home to Family Promise of Essex County, which served as the police station.
The production also utilized various counties across New Jersey, including Union, Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, Middlesex, and Somerset. Additionally, the Houdaille Quarry in Springfield and Branch Brook Park in Newark were among the other sites featured in the film.