Naman Shrestha
Directed by Pedro Morelli, Netflix’s ‘State of Fear’ is a spin-off of the show titled ‘Brotherhood,’ created by Morelli himself. The action crime drama movie centers on the members of a criminal group called Brotherhood, whose founder, Edson, tried to raise her daughter, Elisa, away from the crimes the group committed. In an unexpected turn of events, the group faces complications when their main leaders are transferred to maximum-security prisons and 18-year-old Elisa is abducted by a group of corrupt police officers. In response, the Brotherhood orders its members to launch a Salve Geral or State of Fear, which involves violently attacking police stations and security forces, leading to chaos throughout the city.
Meanwhile, Elisa’s aunt, Cristina, a lawyer and one of the gang’s leaders, takes it upon herself to rescue her. Amidst all the commotion, Elisa and Cristina are forced to make difficult choices that could shape their respective futures. Originally titled ‘Salve Geral: Irmandade,’ the series features stellar performances from a talented ensemble cast comprising Naruna Costa, Camilla Damião, Seu Jorge, David Santos, Elzio Vieira, Enio Cavalcante, Hermila Guedes, and Lee Taylor. The tale of violence unfolds in São Paulo, where collateral damage mounts amid explosions and chases.
State of Fear Filming Locations
‘State of Fear’ was filmed in its entirety in Brazil, specifically in São Paulo. From what we can tell, principal photography for the Pedro Morelli directorial got underway in January 2025 and wrapped up after about a month in February of the same year. A crew member, Angela Leite, reflected on her time working on the set of the movie after the conclusion of the shooting. She stated (translated), “Very happy to have had the opportunity to do more work, meet amazing people,” and also expressed her gratitude for working with Seu Jorge, adding (translated), “…I could still meet this special human being, he is a true artist. It’s our Jorge.”
São Paulo, Brazil
To shape the visual landscape of ‘State of Fear,’ the production team chose the state of São Paulo in the southeastern part of Brazil. According to reports, filming was particularly conducted in several locations in and around the capital city of São Paulo. A few scenes were taped around the 20th-century Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Assumption and Saint Paul in Praça da Sé in the downtown area. The cathedral is the main Catholic church in the city and stands as a religious and cultural landmark that blends Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Luz Station, located in the heart of the city at Praça da Luz, 1, Luz, also doubled up as a shooting site for the movie.
Nestled in the Bom Retiro district, the transportation hub holds historical significance for its distinct architecture. A minor portion of the filming of the Netflix movie also took place on a beach outside the city. São Paulo has emerged as a popular filming destination as it boasts film-friendly policies, skilled technicians, varied architectural styles, and a dense skyline. Not just that, owing to its diverse landscape, ranging from modern skyscrapers and business hubs to residential neighborhoods and rural areas, it can convincingly depict a wide spectrum of settings.
Since the narrative is set in São Paulo, the team made the logical choice to draw from the city’s raw and gritty lived-in atmosphere and history to lend the narrative a sense of authenticity. Over the years, the city has aided in the production of a wide array of crime-themed movies and television shows, such as ‘The Secret Agent,’ ‘I’m Still Here,’ ‘Solace,’ ‘Carandiru,’ ‘City of God: The Fight Rages On,’ ‘The Mechanism,’ ‘City of Men,’ ‘Criminal Code,’ ‘7 Prisoners,’ ‘Sintonia,’ ‘The Red Light Bandit,’ ‘Joint Venture,’ ‘Papers,’ and ‘Unsuspicious.’
Read More: Where Was Copshop (2021) Filmed? All Shooting Locations
