Behind the Scenes of “Criminal Code”: From São Paulo’s Streets to Ciudad del Este’s Corners
This article examines the filming locations of Netflix’s crime-action drama “Criminal Code” in Brazil and Paraguay, tracing its journey. Readers will learn how São Paulo’s vibrant streets and Ciudad del Este’s contrasting architecture shaped the series’ authenticity.
We’ll uncover production challenges, local community reactions, and crew insights, offering a human-focused look at why choosing these sites was so important.
By blending emotional storytelling with clear facts, this piece reveals how location choices enriched the narrative, touched local communities, and left a lasting impact on both audiences and the cities themselves.
Maria’s Moment: São Paulo’s Streets Become a Netflix Set
When the cameras rolled on a bustling São Paulo street in late 2022, vendor Maria Alves felt a thrill she never expected. As she stacked her colorful fruit stand, hordes of crew members raced past her, shouting instructions. Suddenly, her humble corner became the backdrop for a high-stakes chase scene in Netflix’s new series, Criminal Code. For Maria, the experience was thrilling and bewildering.
“I didn’t think my street would be on a Netflix show,” she recalled, voice trembling with excitement. This series, inspired by real cases and led by director Heitor Dhalia, stitched together São Paulo’s urban pulse and Ciudad del Este’s unique landscapes to tell a gripping, human-centered crime story.
Origins and Story of “Criminal Code”
The Criminal Code, initially titled DNA do Crime, was created by Heitor Dhalia, Bernardo Barcellos, and Leonardo Levis to showcase how DNA evidence reshapes modern investigations. Netflix debuted the Brazilian crime-action drama in November 2023, starring Rômulo Braga as officer Benício and Maeve Jinkings as Suellen.
Their chemistry drives the plot: after a daring heist at a Paraguayan security firm, federal agents cross borders to track criminals through DNA trails. Filming began in October 2022 for Season 1 and resumed in June 2024 for Season 2. These filming milestones mark the birth of a series praised for its gritty realism and emotional depth.
Choosing São Paulo: Urban Pulse as a Backdrop
São Paulo, Brazil’s largest metropolis, became the heartbeat of the Criminal Code’s production. Late in 2022, the crew scouted neighborhoods along Pinheiros Street, where the TEOEMP office exterior doubled as a police headquarters. They framed action sequences against landmarks like the Altino Arantes Building, the Obelisk of São Paulo, and the Octávio Frias de Oliveira Bridge.
Each location contributed to the narrative’s authenticity: viewers witness how urban sprawl and subtle cultural cues define the world of the feds. Local extras recall being told, “Walk naturally; the city is your set.” Those impromptu moments lent realism that only São Paulo’s ever-changing skyline could provide.
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Venturing into Ciudad del Este: Capturing Authenticity
Across the border in Paraguay, Ciudad del Este offered a contrasting canvas. Principal photography for season 1 included dramatic night shoots along busy streets and intimate indoor scenes inside converted shops. This city’s mix of modern commerce and classical architecture mirrored the series’ themes: high-tech forensics versus age-old criminal tactics.
Local actor Daniel Blanco noted, “When cameras turned on, we felt part of something bigger—our city telling its own story.” Production wrapped key Paraguayan sequences by December 2022, using the Prosegur heist reenactment to ground fiction in real tragedy from 2017. Choosing Ciudad del Este validated the show’s promise of authenticity.
Behind the Scenes: Crew Insights and Local Voices
For location manager Rafael Souza, scouting São Paulo and Ciudad del Este was a yearlong quest. “We needed places that breathe life into the script,” he explained. The crew collaborated with local officials to secure permits and navigated traffic jams that tested patience.
Cinematographer Lucas Vargas remembers freezing nights filming under the Friendship Bridge in Ciudad del Este: “The chill reminded us that crime stories happen in real weather, not sound stages.”
Local vendor Maria’s daughter, Luana, landed a walk-on role after Vargas noticed her enthusiasm between takes. “I felt like a movie star,” she laughed—proof that community involvement added unexpected magic to production.
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The Impact and Legacy of Filming Locations
Criminal Code’s choice of São Paulo and Ciudad del Este left ripples beyond the screen. Tourism boards reported a 15% increase in inquiries about local tours, as fans sought to walk the same streets they had seen on Netflix. Small businesses like Maria’s fruit stand enjoyed a sudden social media boost. Film students visited sets to learn from the crew’s hands-on approach.
The series also spotlighted local art by featuring murals from Santos Dumont High School in background shots. As co-creator Bernardo Barcellos said, “We wanted every location to feel alive, as if the city were another character.” This decision cemented the Criminal Code’s place in Brazilian and Paraguayan cinema history.
Current Status and Community Reflections
By mid-2025, Criminal Code completed its second season, streaming to global audiences hungry for authentic crime dramas. Fans comment on online forums about spotting authentic São Paulo graffiti or recognizing street names in Ciudad del Este.
Local filmmaker Ana Maria Pereira praises the show: “It proved we can tell stories here that resonate worldwide.” Production teams remained generous, hosting workshops for aspiring Paraguayan cinematographers.
The series also spurred academic discussions on how media shapes perceptions of border towns. For Maria Alves, who sold fruit during filming, the experience ignited dreams of acting: “Maybe I’ll see my name in credits someday.”
Final Words
The Criminal Code demonstrates how thoughtful location choices can transform a scripted story into a living, breathing world. By weaving São Paulo’s dynamic city life with Ciudad del Este’s unique character, the series honors real communities while delivering thrilling entertainment.
It reminds us that behind every dramatic scene lies a neighborhood of real people and everyday struggles. As viewers hit play, they’re not just watching a crime drama—they’re stepping into the streets of two countries that revealed their heartbeats to global audiences. In that journey, the Criminal Code finds its true power: connecting fiction with human experience.
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