where was I spit on your grave filmed
The original I Spit on Your Grave (1978) was primarily filmed in and around Kent, Connecticut, with the opening scene shot in New York City.
Quick Scoop: Filming Locations
Main Filming Area – Kent, Connecticut
Most of the movie’s rural and small‑town scenes were shot in Kent, a town in western Connecticut near the New York state line.
Key spots there included:
- Jennifer’s cabin at 24 Birch Hill Lane, Kent, Connecticut.
- The store where Matthew works at 24 North Main Street, Kent, Connecticut.
- A local church at 97 North Main Street (First Congregational Church of Kent), along with the cemetery behind it used in driving scenes.
- Additional exterior and town shots around Kent Road and other nearby streets.
These locations match the film’s isolated, wooded setting and the small-town feel that plays into the story’s tension and atmosphere.
Opening Scene – New York City
The city footage at the beginning of the film was shot in New York City.
One documented address is:
- 36 Sutton Place South, New York, NY 10022, used for the opening sequence showing Jennifer leaving the city.
This contrast between busy Manhattan and secluded Connecticut countryside helps set up her retreat and the drastic shift in tone once she arrives at the cabin.
Mini FAQ
- Q: Was everything filmed in Connecticut?
A: No. Most of the rural and town scenes were filmed in Kent, Connecticut, but the opening city scenes were filmed in New York City.
- Q: Is Jennifer’s cabin a real place?
A: Yes. The cabin exterior was a real property at 24 Birch Hill Lane in Kent, Connecticut.
- Q: Are these locations still recognizable today?
A: Some buildings and roads still exist and are identifiable in fan location guides, although details like signage and surroundings have changed over time.
Context and Legacy (Sensitive Topic)
Because I Spit on Your Grave is a controversial rape‑revenge film, its filming locations have become part of cult horror discussion circles rather than mainstream tourism.
Fans often talk about how the quiet, picturesque setting in Kent intensifies the disturbing nature of the story, making the violence feel more jarring against such a peaceful backdrop.
The calm rural environment was deliberately used to make the events feel more shocking and personal, rather than stylized or detached.
TL;DR
- Main filming: Kent, Connecticut (USA) – cabin, store, church, cemetery, and most rural scenes.
- City opening: New York City, New York (USA) – including an address on Sutton Place South.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.