The film was shot in December 2022 in New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey. Most of the filming, including all scenes inside the taxi, took place at Cinelease Studios in Jersey City. A taxi set was built there, with the background created using huge LED screens that projected pre-shot footage of nighttime New York. To capture this footage, the film crew worked on the streets of Manhattan, specifically on 10th Avenue (between West 39th and 40th Streets). Real locations used in the film include: Long Island MacArthur Airport, where the opening scenes of the film were shot, showing Girlie arriving in New York and getting into a taxi, as well as a house in Hoboken.

Filming Locations:

John F. Kennedy International Airport

In the Movie

Scene where Girlie arrives in New York to return to her apartment in Manhattan. During the ride from the airport to the city, she meets taxi driver Clark, and an intimate conversation ensues. They discuss many personal topics, such as past and present relationships, power, sexual equality, life losses, and vulnerability.

In Reality

The scene was shot at Long Island MacArthur Airport. This airport, owned by the town of Islip, is located in Ronkonkoma, Long Island. Founded in 1942 and beginning commercial service in 1960, this airport serves as a convenient alternative to the congested John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports within the city. It offers a calmer atmosphere and good on-time performance. At one time, the FAA even designated it as an official metropolitan airport, placing it alongside New York's largest airports. Why the filmmakers chose this particular airport is not exactly known, but perhaps they were attracted by more convenient filming conditions and the absence of the hustle and bustle typical of JFK.

The Ride Home

In the Movie

Scene where the taxi driver strikes up a conversation with Girlie while driving her home. Once in the taxi, Girlie expects a typical ride to her apartment, but from the first minutes it becomes clear that this evening will be different. The driver, Clark, immediately shows his uniqueness by asking questions you wouldn't normally hear from a taxi driver. Instead of the usual silence or talk about traffic, he starts a conversation about life, its complexities and joys. Girlie, tired from the flight and experiencing some personal crisis, initially wary but then increasingly open, joins the conversation. Clark turns out to be not just a random fellow traveler, but a wise and insightful interlocutor. He asks questions that make her think about her relationships, her place in the world, and what she really wants from life.

In Reality

The scene was shot All scenes inside the taxi took place at Cinelease Studios in Jersey City. A half-taxi set was built there, with the background created using huge LED screens that projected pre-shot footage of nighttime New York. To recreate these views, the film crew pre-shot the streets of Manhattan, specifically 10th Avenue between East 39th and 40th Streets, which are shown in this scene.

Girlie's Residence

In the Movie

Scene where Girlie and Clark arrive at their destination and say goodbye. Girlie, thanks to the frank conversation with Clark, begins to realize the destructiveness of her relationship with the married "daddy" and contemplates her true desires. Clark receives confirmation of his ability to help people. Over the course of the ride, the characters have bonded through their open conversation, but both understand that this is just a fleeting chance encounter. They warmly say goodbye, Girlie goes into her home, and Clark continues his shift.

In Reality

The scene was shot at 673 Country Road in Hoboken, New Jersey. Hoboken is known for its brownstones—Victorian-style stone houses lined up in tight rows along the streets. This is a picturesque and cozy area with pedestrian streets, many parks and restaurants, creating an atmosphere of calm and tranquility that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of the big city. The house featured in the film is a typical example of Hoboken architecture from the early 20th century. It has the charm and character that directors often seek to convey a certain mood in the frame. The filmmakers likely chose this house because of its classic facade and its location on a quiet street, which allowed them to create a sense of intimacy and personal space necessary for the farewell scene between the characters.

Long Island MacArthur Airport (Taxi Pickup Area)

In the Movie

Scene where Girlie exits the airport and gets into a taxi, but in the story it is presented as a meeting at JFK, and the film crew used this particular arrival side with its access roads to show her boarding and the start of the night ride.

In Reality

The scene was shot at the public airport on Long Island, serving Ronkonkoma and the Islip area, with commercial passenger terminals, curbside arrival zones, and access roads that are perfect for filming a taxi pickup area.