When Netflix released its action-thriller The Union, audiences were introduced to a globe-trotting spy story filled with European backdrops, covert missions, and high-octane set pieces. What many viewers may not realize is that the film’s identity and much of its visual DNA are rooted firmly in New Jersey. Originally developed under the working title Our Man From Jersey, the production leaned heavily on the Garden State’s streets, bridges, diners, and downtown landmarks to establish the film’s tone, its characters, and even entire “international” sequences.
Before the story ever crosses an ocean, New Jersey defines the world of Mike, the blue-collar protagonist portrayed by Mark Wahlberg. The opening chapters of the film are steeped in local atmosphere, presenting him as a hardworking construction laborer living an unassuming life shaped by familiar surroundings. While the screenplay places Mike in Paterson, his everyday routine was brought to life across multiple North Jersey communities, giving the character a sense of authenticity that resonates far beyond the screen.
Bayonne plays a prominent role in shaping that early narrative. A neighborhood bar on Broadway was transformed into the fictional “Wilson’s,” becoming the emotional setting for a pivotal reunion between Mike and his former high-school sweetheart Roxanne, played by Halle Berry. Nearby streets and parks were also woven into the film’s opening act, grounding the characters in a setting that feels unmistakably local while quietly setting the stage for a much larger story.
Jersey City and Kearny provided additional layers to that grounded atmosphere. Leonard Gordon Park in Jersey City becomes the location of a key turning point in the plot, while the industrial landscape around the Wittpenn Bridge and the PATH Lift Bridge introduces viewers to Mike’s working life and foreshadows the physical demands he will later face. Kearny’s Bridgeview Diner and port facilities were also utilized to reinforce the film’s blue-collar texture, adding recognizable North Jersey landmarks that longtime residents will immediately spot.
Morristown, meanwhile, demonstrates just how versatile New Jersey can be on screen. The Morristown Green and Roots Steakhouse were used not only as themselves, but also as visual doubles for scenes meant to take place overseas. With strategic camera angles and atmospheric effects, these familiar Morris County locations convincingly stood in for London, showcasing how the state’s varied architecture and streetscapes can transform into international settings without leaving New Jersey.
The film’s creative concept, centered on a secret intelligence group that recruits “invisible” operatives from working-class backgrounds, made New Jersey an especially fitting choice. The communities, bridges, diners, and parks selected for filming reinforce the story’s theme of ordinary people being pulled into extraordinary circumstances. The locations are not simply backdrops; they actively shape the audience’s understanding of Mike’s identity, his skills, and the sharp contrast between his everyday life and the covert world he is about to enter.
While The Union also filmed in parts of Europe, its heart remains unmistakably tied to the Garden State. From its earliest scenes to key narrative pivots, New Jersey provides the texture, realism, and character foundation that anchors the entire story.
For fans eager to explore more productions that continue to shine a spotlight on the state’s growing role in film and television, Explore New Jersey’s dedicated coverage of film and TV offers an inside look at how the Garden State is steadily becoming one of the industry’s most versatile and in-demand backdrops.
