Netflix’s We Have a Ghost is set in Chicago. However, those familiar with typical Windy City neighborhoods may find themselves having doubts about whether filming actually took place there. Rightly so. (And if this describes you, what a great eye you have!)
While the house in We Have a Ghost is real —or, rather, houses are real— they’re not located in Illinois at all. But they are located in a city famous for its paranormal activity and related ghost stories: New Orleans, Louisiana. Let’s take a closer look.
The Houses in We Have a Ghost
House Beautiful (naturally) explained that one house was used for interior scenes and the other for the exterior to create the movie’s “house of death.”
HB doesn’t say if much was done to the one used for the exterior to give it the stereotypical haunted house touches, which in this case included “skinny windows, a porch with gingerbread trim, textured walls, and overgrown landscaping.” (Okay, maybe as far as the lawn was concerned, it was more a matter of doing as little as possible.)
But they did talk about what was done to the inside, which included constructing a custom-built kitchen on location, as well as adding great decorating touches like peeling wallpaper and a mirror with black spots on it.
As far as which part of New Orleans you might find the house that was used for the exterior in We Have a Ghost, I’m still looking for an exact coordinate. I know street/shop scenes were filmed in Donaldsonville in Ascension Parish, but I haven’t pinpointed if that’s where either or both of the houses were located too. If you know, don’t be shy. That’s what the comment section is for!
The Attic in We Have a Ghost
Another aspect of the house we should focus on is the attic where Kevin first meets —and laughs— at Ernest. Because, of course, where else would a haunted house’s ghost live but in a creepy, dusty attic?
Which, let’s pause for a moment to talk about that. First off, it’s very rare for people to actually witness a full-bodied apparition like Kevin did when Ernest manifested. And Kevin’s reaction to Ernest trying to terrorize him was pricelessly refreshing.
Because really. When we first meet other alive human beings, what do we do? Scream? Flee in terror? No! We politely introduce ourselves!
Yet, pop culture has conditioned us to associate ghosts with scary and terror and, therefore, freaking out. Thankfully Kevin didn’t get that memo. He’d be the best ghost hunter ever! His reaction was exactly as it should be, one of humor, awe, and wonder as he calmly hit record on his phone’s camera to video Ernest.
And rather than doing what else the film spoofed so many of us doing these days, he doesn’t even live stream it or instantly upload it to social media. (Raising hand. #guilty)
In fact, he doesn’t even share the experience with anyone until his brother, and then father, finds out about it. Then it’s his dad who posts it in a quest for social media notoriety and fame.
Anyway, the first two Ernest videos take place in the attic, which was actually a soundstage.
We Have a Ghost Inspiration
Not that this has anything to do with the houses, but another question I had was what inspired the movie: a true story? A book? Something else?
Turns out, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the film’s writer-director Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day) explained a short story titled “Ernest” by Geoff Manaugh inspired him to bring it to life in movie form. Thankfully. What a fun addition to the haunted house genre it is!
We Have a Ghost Trailer
Check-In
Have you seen We Have a Ghost yet? What’s your favorite part?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, as well as obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of healing, to learn how she channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I haven’t seen We Have a Ghost. Kevin sounds like an awesome character!