When A24’s crime thriller Enemies began filming in Chicago this past summer, we expected sparks on-screen between Austin Butler and Jeremy Allen White. What we didn’t anticipate was the genuine friendship that would blossom off-screen.
Production for Enemies kicked off in Chicago in late May 2025, with a 32-day shoot scheduled across the city. The film, directed by Henry Dunham and produced by Ari Aster, centers on a relentless detective and an infamous contract killer locked in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Filming took place in various Chicago neighborhoods, including the South Loop, Gold Coast, and River North. Residents reported hearing gunshots late into the night, only to discover film crews in action.
Despite their on-screen rivalry, Butler and White spent their downtime exploring Chicago and proving that real-life chemistry doesn’t need a script. They were spotted enjoying each other’s company around the city. From coffee runs to Cubs games, their easy camaraderie has been impossible to miss.
Butler recently told Mandatory about their growing friendship, recalling a long phone conversation with White: “Two days ago, we ended up talking on the phone for like an hour… it’s nice to have somebody who is a similar type of person.” He described White as “a lovely human being,” highlighting the genuine connection they’ve formed.
Their shared sense of style hasn’t gone unnoticed either. The pair’s perfectly matched casual vibes were spotlighted at a recent Cubs game. White sporting his well-loved New York Mets cap and Butler rocking a rare vintage Capco Steel hat, earned them the affectionate title “Best-Dressed Bros in the Bleachers” in a GQ feature that noted their effortlessly coordinated outfits.
From late-night shoots to daytime explorations, Chicago has provided the perfect backdrop for Butler and White’s off-screen adventures, becoming an integral part of the camaraderie that has developed between the two actors.
In Enemies, Austin Butler and Jeremy Allen White may be adversaries, but in Chicago, their friendship is the real story.
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