Film was filmed across multiple locations in the Schenectady area of upstate New York, giving the story an authentic small-town American feel. The movie follows a multi-generational saga that begins with a motorcycle stunt rider who turns to bank robbery to support his family, then shifts to the cop who stops him, and finally to the consequences their sons face years later. The narrative is structured in three distinct acts, each exploring themes of fatherhood, legacy, class, and the ripple effects of choices made under pressure. Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eva Mendes lead the cast, with Dane DeHaan and Emory Cohen carrying the final act. The title itself references the meaning of "Schenectady" in the Mohawk language, tying the film deeply to its shooting location. The production made extensive use of real local businesses, neighborhoods, and landmarks rather than sets, which gives the film a grounded, documentary-like texture throughout.

Filming locations:

1st National Bank of Scotia

In the movie

Scene where Luke robs the bank as part of his escalating criminal activity to provide money for his son. The scene captures the tension and desperation of his character as he uses his motorcycle riding skills to make quick getaways through the surrounding streets.

In reality

The scene was filmed the First National Bank of Scotia building located on Mohawk Avenue in the village of Scotia, New York. Scotia is a small village in Schenectady County situated along the Mohawk River, and the bank building is a recognizable local landmark in its compact downtown commercial district.

Kofi and Romina's House

In the movie

Scene where Luke visits Romina at the home she shares with Kofi, discovering his infant son for the first time. The house serves as a recurring location where the tension between Luke's desire to be a father and his outsider status in Romina's new domestic life plays out across multiple scenes.

In reality

The scene was filmed a residential house on Watt Street in Schenectady, a modest working-class neighborhood that reflects the economic conditions of the characters in the film. The area is typical of Schenectady's older residential districts with closely spaced homes and narrow streets.