Heart Eyes

Although Heart Eyes is set in Seattle, the production filmed exclusively in Auckland, using the city’s dense urban core, waterfront precincts, and green spaces to double for the US setting convincingly. Shooting took place across the Auckland CBD and the wider region, including the Auckland Domain, Wintergarden, Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter, and Waiheke Island.

Director Josh Ruben cited Auckland’s range and adaptability as a key factor in the decision to film in New Zealand. “Auckland was the ideal location for Heart Eyes,” Ruben said, noting the city’s ability to move quickly between eerie, secluded environments and contemporary urban settings within a tight production footprint.

Filming in New Zealand gave the production access to the cooler, overcast conditions required for the Valentine’s Day setting, while also enabling a productive working‑day to overlap with US‑based creative teams, supporting real‑time collaboration across hemispheres.

Heart Eyes was delivered by a predominantly New Zealand workforce, with 99% local crew and approximately 450 Kiwi crew members contributing across production. The film’s demanding schedule included extensive night shoots, requiring large‑scale lighting rigs, cranes and complex logistical coordination across active city locations.

These technical requirements were supported by New Zealand’s experienced department heads and crews, enabling the production to maintain pace while achieving the film’s moody, high‑contrast visual style. Post‑production was also completed locally, with Park Road Post delivering sound post‑production and digital intermediate services.

Reflecting on the experience, lead actor Olivia Holt described filming in New Zealand as “incredible,” highlighting both the locations and the collaborative production environment. [youtube.com]