Where was The Gringo Hunters shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the Netflix series

Netflix crime action, The Gringo Hunters, directed by Alonso Alvarez is based on a Washington Post article by Kevin Sieff. It is a bold reversal of the typical immigration narrative. The series follows an elite Mexican police unit chasing illegal American immigrants in Mexico and deporting them back to the US.

Along with the performances, the TV show's spectacular locations have immensely added to the film world that the makers wanted to build to unfold the thrilling story. The show is primarily shot in the underbelly of Mexico City with strong use of handheld camerawork and ambient light to immerse viewers in tense, chaotic operations. Read on to explore the shooting locations of The Gringo Hunters in detail.

Where was The Gringo Hunters shot? Revisiting key filming locations

Instead of showing Mexicans crossing into America, The Gringo Hunters spotlights Americans hiding, running, or causing chaos inside Mexico. The deportation units are seen dealing with a variety of cases. Some are innocent, dealing with persecution and trying to flee, therefore blurring the ethical lines of the unit's mission.

It offers a raw, often brutal portrayal of cross-border tensions, showing Mexico’s physical and political landscapes in vivid, grounded detail. As mentioned, the main filming location was Tijuana, Baja California, reflecting the borderline tension and U.S.-Mexico dynamics central to the show.

According to reports, the show was on the floor for 5 months from March to July 2024, shooting on location in Mexico. In the state, some key locations were Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace), Avenida Independencia. Here, some extras and actors as police were used for protest scenes. There was also a colourful tourist corridor for gritty street and nightlife scenes, called Avenida Revolución. In Playas de Tijuana (Beachfront), some scenic yet symbolic shots were taken near the US border wall and the ocean. While Estadio Chevron (Tijuana National Stadium), the Ballpark was used for high-stakes crowd scenes.

Ensenada, Baja California, was utilised to depict some quieter moments, contrasting with Tijuana's intensity. Ventana al Mar Pier (Zona Centro) and El Vigía Trail & Cerro del Vigía were key locations for their picture-esque ocean views and a vantage point for sweeping shots of the Pacific.

Bia Borinn, who plays Orla while speaking with Kalkin Media, praises the show.

“It’s going to be powerful to watch audiences react to Americans being deported from Mexico. It challenges stereotypes…”

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We can say that The Gringo Hunters has a fresh perspective on immigration stories, breaking the stereotype by flipping the power dynamics. The show highlights American privilege, foreign interference, and Mexican sovereignty. Along with having complex characters, neither heroes nor villains, the deportation squad contains people trying to do a job in a world that rarely plays fair.

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