The film was shot in New York City and its surroundings and tells the story of Sam Gold, a young Hasidic Jew studying to become a rabbi who gets drawn into the world of ecstasy smuggling. Sam reluctantly follows the path chosen for him by his family until a charming neighbor named Yosef senses his discontent and lures him into transporting what he is told is medicine for an Israeli dealer and his girlfriend Rachel. Sam quickly proves to be a natural at the business, impressing his bosses who take him under their wing. As he gets introduced to the exciting nightlife of Manhattan and Amsterdam, he sinks deeper into a dangerous lifestyle that begins to tear his family apart. The film is based on the true story of Hasidic Jews involved in an ecstasy smuggling ring in the late 1990s, importing the drug from Europe to the United States. Starring Jesse Eisenberg along with Ari Graynor and Justin Bartha.

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn Bridge, Lower East Side

In the Movie

Scene where characters appear near the Brooklyn Bridge on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, creating a classic New York backdrop that visually anchors the story's urban setting as Sam's world begins to expand beyond his insular community.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the iconic Brooklyn Bridge with views of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Completed in 1883, it connects Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River and is one of New York's most recognizable landmarks, often used for filming due to its dramatic Gothic towers and sweeping cables.

Marquee Nightclub

In the Movie

Scene where Sam first experiences the glamour and grit of Manhattan nightlife at a nightclub, where he is drawn deeper into the thrilling world of his criminal friends, marking a turning point in his transformation from a devout student to an ecstasy smuggler.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the former Marquee nightclub in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. It was one of New York's most famous nightlife venues in the mid-2000s and early 2010s, attracting celebrities, models, and the city's party crowd. French supermodel Alizé Guinochet makes a cameo appearance in the scene filmed here.

Fabric Warehouse, Grand Street

In the Movie

Scene where Sam navigates the neighborhood near a fabric warehouse, reflecting the daily life of the Hasidic community on the Lower East Side, while his immersion into the criminal world of ecstasy smuggling has not yet fully taken hold.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a commercial building on the corner of Grand Street and Eldridge Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. This area is known for its historically rich textile district, where numerous wholesale and retail fabric stores have operated for decades, serving designers and the local garment manufacturing community.