The house is basically the main character. When Rian Johnson dropped Knives Out back in 2019, everyone obsessed over Chris Evans’ cable-knit sweater, sure, but the real star was that sprawling, creaky, "whodunnit" mansion. It looks like it belongs in the middle of some fog-drenched English moor. But it isn't. So, where is Knives Out set? Strictly speaking, the story takes place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. It’s that specific slice of New England where old money smells like damp library books and resentment. Harlan Thrombey’s estate is supposed to be this isolated fortress of success, but in reality, the production team had to stitch together two different historic properties to create that singular, claustrophobic vibe.
The exterior: Ames Mansion in Easton
Most of what you see from the outside—those gothic peaks and the stone facade—is the Ames Mansion. It sits in Borderland State Park in North Easton, Massachusetts. Built around 1910, it was the home of Blanche and Oakes Ames. It’s not just a movie set; it’s a massive piece of history with twenty rooms and a two-story library that would make any writer jealous.
Rian Johnson needed something that felt like a "board game come to life." He’s been vocal about how the house needed to feel like a cage for the family. The Ames Mansion provided that. If you go there today, you can actually hike the trails around it. You won't find Harlan's body, hopefully, but you'll recognize the driveway where the police cruisers lined up.
It’s weirdly accessible. You can just drive there.
The interior: A private manor in Natick
Here is the catch. The inside of the Ames Mansion wasn't quite "extra" enough for the interior shots. The production moved to a private residence in Natick, Massachusetts, for the indoor scenes. This is where things get tricky. Unlike the Ames Mansion, the Natick house is a private home. You can't just wander in.
The production designer, David Crank, basically took a century-old house and stuffed it with weirdness. The "Circle of Knives" throne? That wasn't an original fixture. The crew built that specifically to sit in the center of the Natick living room. It's funny how movie magic works. You see a character walk through a door in Easton and suddenly they’re standing in a hallway twenty miles away in Natick.
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The Natick house provided that specific, cramped Victorian clutter. It feels like every inch of the walls is covered in some strange artifact Harlan collected during his travels. It’s a physical representation of his mind—and his ego.
Why Massachusetts?
The setting matters because of the "Old Money" trope. If the movie were set in Los Angeles, it’s a different vibe. It’s flashy. But in Massachusetts? It’s cold. It’s gray. The family feels established and entitled in a way that only New England allows. The movie captures that specific autumn transition where everything is beautiful but also dying.
Production took place in the fall of 2018. If you look closely at the background during the exterior shots, the leaves are at that perfect, crunchy stage. It adds to the "cozy mystery" aesthetic that launched a thousand Pinterest boards.
The specific town: Marlborough and beyond
While the house is the focal point, the movie breathes through other local spots. The "Huey's" restaurant scene—where Benoit Blanc and Marta have a heart-to-heart—was filmed at a place called Flatbread Company in Canton. It’s a real pizza joint. People go there for the wood-fired slices, not realizing they’re sitting where Daniel Craig perfected that thick, "Kentucky Fried" Foghorn Leghorn accent.
They also filmed bits in Marlborough and Waltham. The local courthouse? That’s real. The streets? Real. It’s all within a tight radius of Boston, which made logistics easier for a mid-budget film that turned into a global juggernaut.
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The "Glass Onion" contrast
You can't talk about where Knives Out is set without mentioning how much it changed for the sequel. If the first movie is a cozy, wool-blanket mystery in a Massachusetts basement, Glass Onion is a neon-soaked fever dream in Greece.
Specifically, the sequel was filmed at the Villa 20 at the Amanzoe resort in Porto Heli. It’s the polar opposite of the Ames Mansion. One is dark wood and secrets; the other is glass, water, and ego. It’s interesting to see how the "setting" of a Benoit Blanc mystery defines the tone. The first one is a tribute to Agatha Christie’s countryside murders. The second is a "rich people on vacation" satire.
Can you visit the Knives Out house?
Yes and no.
- Ames Mansion (Easton, MA): Yes. It’s part of Borderland State Park. You can take tours of the ground floor on certain days. It’s a public park, so you can walk the grounds anytime.
- The Natick House: No. It’s a private residence. Please don't go knocking on the door asking about the will.
- Flatbread Company (Canton, MA): Yes. You can literally eat there.
Honestly, the best way to experience the setting is a road trip through Norfolk County in late October. The vibe is immaculate.
Real-world inspiration vs. Hollywood
Rian Johnson spent a lot of time talking about how the house needed to feel like a "clue." In most mysteries, the house is just a background. In Knives Out, the layout actually dictates the plot. Think about the "creaky stairs" or the secret window.
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The production didn't just find a house; they modified it to fit the mechanics of a murder. They added fake walls and moved furniture to ensure that when Marta hides or Harlan climbs, it makes sense geographically. It’s a rare case where the architecture is the script.
Setting the stage for Knives Out 3
The third film, Wake Up Dead Man, is reportedly shifting the setting again. This time, it looks like it’s heading to the UK. It makes sense. If you’ve done the American gothic and the Mediterranean tech-bro island, you have to go back to the roots of the genre.
But for fans, the Massachusetts setting will always be the "real" home of the franchise. It’s where we first met Benoit Blanc. It’s where the "donut hole" monologue happened.
Next Steps for Fans and Travelers
If you are planning a trip to see these locations, start at Borderland State Park. It’s the most bang for your buck. You can see the Ames Mansion, which covers the vast majority of the "visual identity" of the film.
- Check the schedule: The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) often posts tour times for the Ames Mansion interior. They aren't every day.
- Visit in the Fall: If you go in July, it won't feel right. Wait for October. Wear a sweater.
- Respect Privacy: When looking for the Natick locations, stay on public roads. The "Thrombey Estate" is someone's actual living room.
The reality of where Knives Out is set is a mix of public history and private charm. It’s a testament to good location scouting that two different houses, miles apart, felt like one cohesive, terrifying, and beautiful home.
The movie proved that you don't need a huge budget if you have a house with a soul. Or at least, a house with enough hidden corners to hide a murderer.