My Fault: London, directed by Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood, is a gripping adaptation of the Spanish film Culpa Mía (2023), which itself is based on Mercedes Ron’s bestselling novel from the Culpables trilogy. Set in London, the film follows 18-year-old Noah, who moves from Florida to London with her mother, Ella, after Ella marries a wealthy British man named William. As Noah begins to navigate her new life, she encounters her stepbrother, Nick, a reckless and mysterious young man. Their initial animosity eventually gives way to undeniable attraction, but beneath the surface, dark secrets and a looming threat create an atmosphere of suspense and danger.
The filming of My Fault: London took place across various locations in the United Kingdom, with London and Kent providing the backdrop for many key scenes. The film’s production began in March 2024 and wrapped up by May of the same year, offering a blend of urban and rural settings that perfectly matched the film’s dramatic tension.
Iconic London Locations
London served as the heart of the film, with several iconic landmarks playing pivotal roles in establishing the movie’s thrilling atmosphere. The filmmakers aimed to showcase a heightened, glamorous version of the city, one that still felt authentic and grounded. As Girdwood noted, they wanted London to feel like an integral part of the story, almost like a character in itself.
A central location in the film is Highwood, Mill Hill, a leafy neighborhood in north London. This expansive home, where William and Nick live, provides the perfect setting for the wealth and power that pervades the story. The house’s imposing structure symbolizes the affluence and status that define the characters’ lives, creating an unforgettable visual impression for the audience.
Another prominent site is Burlington House in Mayfair, which served as the setting for Noah’s first London ball. Its luxurious design, both inside and out, highlighted the elegance and sophistication that accompany the high-society world Noah is now a part of. Plaisterers’ Hall in Barbican is also featured in the film, representing the grandeur and opulence that accompany significant events in the story.
The Victoria and Albert Museum, located on Cromwell Road, also made an appearance in My Fault: London. Known for its world-class collection of art, design, and fashion, the museum’s exquisite exhibits and refined interiors mirrored the film’s complex emotions and drama. The museum’s inclusion brought an added layer of cultural depth to the narrative, grounding the story in a world of refinement amid the chaos of personal relationships.
Historical and Symbolic London Landmarks
As the story unfolds, London’s most prestigious landmarks come to symbolize the power and prestige of the characters’ lives. Buckingham Palace, for example, is used in the film to reflect the themes of power and authority. The palace, located at Buckingham Palace Road, is one of the most recognizable symbols of the British monarchy, making its presence in the movie a powerful statement about the characters’ social standing.
One of London’s most modern landmarks, The Shard, also plays an important role. Standing at 310 meters tall, it is one of the tallest buildings in the city, symbolizing both luxury and ambition. In My Fault: London, The Shard represents the high aspirations of the characters and the tension that comes with their pursuit of wealth and status. As Girdwood mentioned, the team wanted to keep the locations grounded in reality, but with a heightened sense of luxury and intensity, and The Shard encapsulated that perfectly.
Following the gala sequence, the film takes a turn when Noah follows Nick to a party at MC Motors in Dalston, which contrasts sharply with the more glamorous settings. The gritty, industrial feel of the venue provides a stark juxtaposition to the sophisticated surroundings of the ball, emphasizing the different worlds Noah and Nick navigate. Similarly, the Queen Elizabeth Car Park in Stratford became a striking location for their first kiss, offering a stunning view of the London skyline that highlights both the beauty and danger that define their relationship.
High-Octane Action in Kent
While London was a focal point for many of the film’s key scenes, the production also ventured into the scenic countryside of Kent, located in southeastern England. Kent is known for its natural beauty, with picturesque towns and coastal areas that offer a sharp contrast to the bustling city life in London. They provided moments of quiet reflection amidst the escalating tension.
One of the most intense sequences of the film takes place in the Royal Harbour Approach Tunnel in Ramsgate, Kent. This 800-meter-long tunnel, known for its narrow and atmospheric structure, was the setting for a high-speed car chase between rival vehicles. The tunnel’s dimly lit interior, with light filtering through the narrow openings, created an intense atmosphere, heightening the danger and urgency of the chase. The use of the tunnel also underscored the film’s growing sense of peril, where the characters’ emotional and physical risks intertwine.
The Royal Harbour Approach Tunnel has been used in previous productions, such as The Baby and Hard Sun, proving its versatility as a location. In My Fault: London, the tunnel became a visual metaphor for the characters’ mounting struggles, contrasting with the luxury of their lives in London. The gritty industrial aesthetic of the tunnel reinforced the film’s exploration of the tension between wealth and danger.
The Calm Before the Storm: Kent’s Rural Beauty
Beyond the high-speed chase, Kent’s tranquil countryside and coastal areas also played a significant role in the film. The quiet, beautiful towns of Dover and Margate offered a serene contrast to the high-stakes drama unfolding in the characters’ lives. These rural settings allowed for moments of calm amidst the escalating tension, giving the audience space to reflect on the characters’ choices and the consequences of their actions.
The final action-packed scene of My Fault: London was shot on Union Street in Southwark, London, with The Shard looming in the background. This dramatic moment, set against the backdrop of the towering skyscraper, ties together the themes of wealth, power, and danger that run throughout the film. The urban setting added a sense of finality to the narrative, reinforcing the film’s exploration of the precariousness of the characters’ lives.
My Fault: London offers a visually striking experience, with its combination of iconic London landmarks, luxurious settings, and dramatic rural locations in Kent. The filming locations play an essential role in enhancing the narrative, adding depth and tension to the story. Whether set against the grandeur of Buckingham Palace or the gritty industrial feel of Kent, the locations help bring the film’s world to life in a way that is both authentic and thrilling.
