Pools is an upcoming American coming-of-age drama film, marking the feature debut of writer-director Sam Hayes. The movie stars Odessa A’zion, Ariel Winter, Mason Gooding, Suzanne Cryer, and Michael Vlamis.
The story follows Kennedy, a college student who convinces her friends to join her on a daring late-night adventure — sneaking into private backyard pools. What begins as lighthearted rebellion soon transforms into a deep journey of grief, friendship, and self-discovery.
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When and Where Was Pools Filmed?
| Movie Name | Pools |
|---|---|
| Genres | Drama, Coming-of-Age |
| Filming Locations | Illinois, USA |
| Filming Dates | 2024 |
| Cinematography by | Ben Hardwicke |
| Release Date | September 5, 2025 |
Filming for Pools took place entirely in Lake Forest, a wealthy suburb north of Chicago, Illinois. This picturesque town is known for its historic charm, sprawling green landscapes, and luxurious homes — making it the perfect backdrop for a film centered around late-night pool-hopping adventures.
Principal photography for Pools occurred in 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Since the film premiered at the TIFF Next Wave festival in early 2025, it’s likely production wrapped by the end of 2024 to allow time for editing and post-production.
📍Lake Forest, Illinois
Most scenes for the movie were shot in Lake Forest, which added authenticity to the upscale settings featured in the story. The quiet, tree-lined streets and elegant architecture gave Pools a rich visual tone that matched Kennedy’s journey.
Lake Forest, Illinois, is a picturesque city on the shores of Lake Michigan, known for its elegant estates, historic architecture, and lush, tree-lined streets. A prominent suburb of Chicago, it’s famous for its affluent atmosphere and strong community feel. The city offers a serene residential environment with a charming downtown area, making it a sought-after location for its natural beauty and sophisticated lifestyle.
📍Innisfail II (Cudahy Estate), Lake Forest, Illinois
The central filming location for Pools was the historic Innisfail II, also known as the Cudahy Estate. Built in 1929, this French Norman-style mansion was designed by renowned architect David Adler for Joseph and Jean Morton Cudahy.
The property is known for its elegance and craftsmanship, featuring imported English wood paneling, antique Chinese paintings, exotic marble floors, and intricate plaster details. These luxurious features helped bring an atmospheric depth to the film’s pool-hopping scenes, making them visually stunning and emotionally impactful.
Innisfail II, also known as the Cudahy Estate, is a grand 17,000-square-foot Norman-style manor in Lake Forest, Illinois. Built in 1930 for Joseph and Jean Morton Cudahy by architect David Adler, the estate was inspired by the picturesque villages of Normandy and features a series of connected outbuildings.
It was designed to look like a French country village and incorporates architectural salvage from Europe, showcasing Adler’s mastery of classical architecture. The property, which was nearly razed at one point, has been meticulously restored by a renowned modernist architect, Adrian Smith.
Pools Behind the Scenes
To make your search for Pools filming even more interesting and enjoyable, we shared a behind-the-scenes photo here. The movie stars and fans also shared some behind-the-scenes glimpses on their social media account, Instagram:-
Here you can see the behind-the-scenes photo shared by the Pools movie’s Official Instagram account:-
Is There a Trailer for Pools?
In early August 2025, the first official trailer for Pools was released, giving audiences a glimpse of the emotional and adventurous tone of the film. You can watch it here:
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q: What is the filming location for Pools?
A: The 2025 Movie Pools was filmed in Illinois, USA.
Q: Where was Pools filmed?
A: The movie’s Principal Photography was confirmed to have begun in Illinois, USA.
Q: When did filming for Pools take place?
A: Filming for this movie began in 2024.
Q: When did Pools start filming?
A: Pools starts filming in 2024.
Comedy Drama Movie Pools is set to be released on September 5, 2025, by Circle Collective, and Eagle Films.