Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Luis Estrada, Netflix’s ‘The Dead Girls,’ originally titled ‘Las Muertas,’ tells the story of two sisters, Arcángela and Salafina Baladro, and how they create a brothel empire in 1960s Mexico. However, this journey also carries darker shades within, as the pair eventually goes on to become ruthless serial killers. An adaptation of Jorge Ibargüengoitia’s novel, the Mexican crime drama series charts this transformation, showing how both external and internal factors play a part in the equation. Given the story’s pursuit of recreating a very specific era and the horrors that unfolded during it, how the setting is captured becomes an important subject. To that end, the backdrops are deeply integrated into the narrative, steering its many twists and turns along the way.
The Dead Girls Filming Locations
‘The Dead Girls’ was filmed entirely in Mexico, with several of its cities, towns, and villages adding to the show’s historic identity. In particular, San Luis Potosí, Mexico City, Guanajuato, and Heroica Veracruz stood out as the chief taping locations. The principal photography for the series commenced in the second week of February 2024. From there, the filming began for the portion set in San Luis Potosí on April 1 of the same year, before finishing on May 7. The crew then moved to locations in Guanajuato and Veracruz, before wrapping up the filming work in July of the same year.
San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Much of the filming of ‘The Dead Girls’ took place in the city of San Luis Potosí, the capital of the eponymous state. The region’s upbeat urban spheres allowed the creative team to bring several exterior sequences to life. In particular, the Centro Histórico of San Luis Potosí, known for its viceregal monuments and historical structures, played a major role in adding a layer of authenticity to the show and the time period it captures. Reportedly, portions of the Plaza de Armas, that is, the town square of the city, were closed off for filming purposes, with many of its establishments adding character to the setting. The Avenida Universidad road was also featured in the show, with planned closures seamlessly avoiding traffic.
The city’s iconic theater, Cineteca Alameda, located at Avenida Universidad 575 in the Central region, also became a major lensing location, with the building’s architectural design adding to the aesthetic. The art center known as Centro de las Artes de San Luis Potosí, situated at San Juan de Guadalupe, Santuario, along with the nearby State Congress buildings, also served as backdrops in key scenes. Additionally, a number of towns and municipalities were featured in the production, not only expanding the scope but also the narrative depth. The towns of Mexquitic de Carmona, Armadillo de los Infante, and Villa de Reyes, along with the village of Cerro de San Pedro, were instrumental in making the environment of ‘The Dead Girls’ a reality. Some of the exterior shots were also taped in the municipality of Guadalcázar, where real streets were used to blend the rural setting with the larger narrative.
Mexico City, Mexico
For the lensing of many of the complex interior sequences of ‘The Dead Girls,’ the crew set up camp at Churubusco Studios, located at Atletas Number 2, Country Club Churubusco in the Churubusco neighbourhood of Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. This creative decision allowed the team to shoot complex sequences in complete detail, while still providing them with the flexibility to adjust the backdrop as required. Outside of the series, several titles have relied on Churusbusco Studios for their setwork, including ‘Romeo + Juliet,’ ‘Original Sin’ and ‘Missing.’
Guanajuato, Mexico
Following the completion of the filming process in San Luis Potosí, the production also extended to Guanajuato, with the town of Mineral de Pozos featuring in several major sequences. The town was formerly a major mining center and has since become a tourist hotspot famous for its expansive landscapes and well-preserved ruins. The setting became a perfect fit for bringing the show’s time period to life, and its unique terrains and architecture played a major role in adding to the immersion factor. Guanajuato has previously served as a filming location for a variety of hit productions, such as ‘Infinite’ and ‘Nosferatu the Vampyre.’
Heroica Veracruz, Mexico
Some sections of the show were also filmed in the port city of Heroica Veracruz, situated in the heart of the state of Veracruz. The city is known for being one of the largest and oldest ports in the country, which adds to the historic charm that defines the visual identity of ‘The Dead Girls.’ One of Heroica Veracruz’s highlights is San Juan de Ulúa, a colonial-era fort that has long since been an emblem of the region’s rich culture and history. Veracruz is no stranger to being a backdrop for popular film and television, having featured in titles such as ‘Apocalypto,’ ‘Sorcerer,’ ‘Romeo + Juliet,’ and ‘Before Night Falls.’ With its coastal landscapes and vibrant towns, the place becomes a perfect vessel to transport the audience into a different era altogether.
Read More: The Dead Girls Ending Explained: Why are Serafina and Arcangela Baladro Arrested?
