Created and directed by Bruno Stagnaro and co-written by Ariel Staltari, The Eternaut Original title: El Eternauta is a six-episode series that follows a strange, deadly snowstorm that hits Buenos Aires, killing anyone it touches. Survivors, including Juan Salvo (played by Ricardo Darín), must wear protective suits and masks to stay alive. As Salvo searches for his daughter, he teams up with other survivors to fight back against an invisible, deadly force behind the snowfall. What begins as a survival mission turns into a larger battle against a terrifying and unknown enemy.
This is THE ETERNAUT, Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of the iconic 1957 Argentine graphic novel by Héctor G. Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López. The creators bring Argentina’s most beloved sci-fi saga to the screen for the first time. But where did this apocalyptic tale come to life? Let’s uncover the filming locations that transformed Buenos Aires into a battleground for survival.
WHERE WAS THE ETERNAUT FILMED?
Filming for The Eternaut began in May 2023 and wrapped in December of the same year, spanning 148 days of intense production. The series was shot entirely in Buenos Aires, Argentina, using over 35 real locations and more than 25 stages enhanced with cutting-edge Virtual Production technology. Vast portions of Buenos Aires were digitally scanned and recreated using the Unreal Engine, allowing filmmakers to control environments while preserving authenticity.
Let’s take a deeper look into some of the key locations where this dystopian epic came to life.
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – THE MAIN STAGE
Filming was rooted deeply in Buenos Aires, a requirement from the heirs of Héctor Oesterheld, who wanted the series to honor the original story’s setting and language. Using a combination of real locations and state-of-the-art virtual sets, the team created a believable post-apocalyptic version of the city.
Director Bruno Stagnaro said filming in the city where the story is set added emotional and narrative weight. The crew used Unreal Engine-based virtual reality tools to digitally scan and recreate the city for complex scenes, offering flexibility without losing authenticity.
AVENIDA GENERAL PAZ: A FROZEN HIGHWAY OF CHAOS
Avenida General Paz, the bustling highway that marks the boundary between Buenos Aires and neighboring Vicente López Partido, became one of the series’ most dramatic filming locations. In June 2023, the production team shut down sections of the highway to stage a chilling post-apocalyptic scene. Abandoned cars littered the road, artificial snow piled high, and actors dressed as soldiers patrolled the wreckage. The transformation was staggering: this vital artery of the city, usually packed with traffic, became a haunting symbol of collapse.
Núñez Buenos Aires
The highway’s proximity to neighborhoods like Núñez and Saavedra made it a strategic choice, blending urban and suburban elements to reflect the story’s scope. Director Bruno Stagnaro noted that the ability to digitally scan and project environments using Unreal Engine allowed them to capture the highway’s vastness without losing the comic’s gritty realism. The cast, including Ricardo Darín, underwent intense physical training to perform action sequences here, with Darín’s commitment to the role shining through despite initial concerns about his age for the physically demanding part.
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The production team covered the avenue in artificial snow, scattered abandoned vehicles, and placed soldiers and wreckage throughout. It wasn’t just for atmosphere — this setting becomes a critical point of conflict in the story. Residents who live nearby shared pictures and videos of the surreal transformation, showing red Torinos and actors in heavy winter gear, braving the snowfall — even though the weather outside was far from freezing.
SAAVEDRA NEIGHBORHOOD: A GHOST TOWN IN THE SNOW
Filming continued in the Saavedra district, where scenes of deserted streets, overturned cars, and military presence painted the chilling aftermath of the toxic snowstorm. In June 2023, the production staged several action-packed sequences here, using both practical effects and digital enhancements.
Later, in October 2023, the team returned to Saavedra for more scenes, reinforcing the eerie feel of a city on the brink. Once vibrant, the streets were now cast in a heavy stillness — reflecting the spirit of the original comic.
CIUDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BUENOS AIRES: A CAPITAL IN CRISIS
Much of the story unfolds in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires — the beating heart of Argentina. To capture the raw tension of survival, the crew chose abandoned buildings, boarded-up homes, and quiet city blocks to reflect a world gripped by catastrophe.
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Scenes involving Juan Salvo and his companions navigating this new reality were filmed here. Special attention was given to the look and texture of these sequences. Snow effects — a mix of kitchen salt, foaming soap, and CGI enhancements — were used to match the strange, killer snow described in the comic. This layered realism gave Buenos Aires a haunting new identity.
BELGRANO AND BEYOND: THE SPRAWL OF FEAR
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Another major district featured in the series is Belgrano, one of Buenos Aires’ residential neighborhoods. During a long weekend in 2023, residents were stunned to see their neighborhood blanketed in artificial snow, with houses, sidewalks, and roads dressed to mimic the comic’s deadly snowfall. One local captured the surreal scene on their phone: actors in heavy winter gear, a red Torino parked amidst the “snow,” and crew members orchestrating the chaos. The footage quickly spread on social media, sparking excitement among fans.
FILMING CHALLENGES AND VIRTUAL INNOVATION
Despite the ambition, the journey wasn’t always smooth. Filming began as planned in May 2023, but lead actor Ricardo Darín’s tight schedule caused delays in some of his key scenes. Nevertheless, production continued with the rest of the ensemble, including Carla Peterson, who wrapped up her scenes ahead of time.
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The team used virtual production techniques across 25 digital stages. By scanning real Buenos Aires locations and projecting them onto massive LED walls on set, filmmakers could film scenes from multiple districts — sometimes within hours — without ever leaving the studio. This was especially useful for scenes requiring a “desolate city” look, something the COVID-19 pandemic ironically made more achievable.
ARTISTIC VISION BEHIND THE SNOWSTORM
Behind every snowflake was intent. Art directors María Battaglia and Julián Romera didn’t want just any snow — they aimed for hyper-realism. Romera emphasized that the team treated the original comic as their “bible,” consulting it to ensure every detail, from the snow’s texture to the placement of debris, felt authentic. Drawing inspiration from Norwegian painters, high-altitude photography, and Argentine street photographers, they crafted five types of artificial snow, each with a specific use. Salt for footprints. Soap for snowfalls. All serving to immerse viewers in a world where snow is not beautiful — it’s deadly.
Director Bruno Stagnaro acknowledged that without recent technological advancements, The Eternaut wouldn’t have been possible. He believed that recreating the visual identity of the comic required Argentine talent and tools — not something pre-packaged from abroad. It was essential, he said, to control the design and tone locally to remain faithful to the source material.
Ricardo Darín, initially a surprising choice due to the character’s younger age in the comic, explained that the update allowed for a more seasoned version of Juan Salvo. His knowledge of firearms and card games like Truco were woven into the narrative to justify the casting and modernize the story for new audiences.
Netflix VP Francisco Ramos called the series “a turning point” for Argentine television — not just because of its story, but because of the scale, vision, and technical audacity it brought to Latin American productions.
A LANDMARK MOMENT FOR ARGENTINE TELEVISION
From the cold digital stages to the snow-covered streets of Avenida General Paz, The Eternaut is more than just an adaptation — it’s a cinematic love letter to Argentina’s cultural memory. Each location, whether digitally recreated or physically transformed, carries the weight of a nation’s most iconic sci-fi tale.
Filming in Buenos Aires, speaking in Spanish, and involving local talent, the series honors Oesterheld’s legacy in every snowflake and shadow. It’s not just about fighting invaders from beyond — it’s about reclaiming the streets of Argentina for a story that belongs to them.
Come back to tvacute.com soon for more news, previews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into The Eternaut and other exciting TV shows.
