The Ojai House Where Windfall was Filmed
by habituallychic
03 . 21 . 22Did you watch the film Windfall that was just released on Netflix? I did and immediately fell in love with the house where it was filmed in Ojai, California. The film is about a man who breaks into a tech billionaire’s empty vacation home only to have things go sideways when the arrogant mogul and his wife arrive for a last-minute getaway. It stars Jason Segel, Jesse Plemons, and Lily Collins whose husband directed the film.
A few websites incorrectly wrote that Windfall was filmed at the Casa Ojai Inn since they were thanked in the credits. I’m sure the cast and crew stayed at the inn during filming but the film takes place entirely in the house and around the property at 2196 Grand Avenue in Ojai. It only took me a half hour to find the house which is a private residence. It was last sold in 2014 for $3,500,000.
The Sotheby’s Real Estate website describes it as follows, “the perfect marriage of resort lifestyle and ranch living is realized in this historic and recently restored 1922 Spanish Hacienda in Ojai’s coveted East End. Hidden amongst the included 20 acres of organic oranges, stone walls and graced by the majestic Topatopa Mountains, this magical three bedroom property is a few minutes away from hiking, horse trails, world-class shopping, restaurants, spas, and golf.”
This is how the house looked in the real estate listing photo.
It’s pretty much the same except for new furniture, a new retractable canopy to shield the sitting area from the sun, and possibly lighter exterior paint color.
Another real estate listing photo.
The best part of the house is the amazing twenty property on which it is located with orange trees and hidden seating areas and a full size zen garden. I think the new owners also added new guest houses in the upper left part of the property.
A closer look at the main house area of the property.
It looks the gate from the real estate listing is the same today.
The parking area and front facade of the house as it appeared in the real estate listing.
The front of landscaping of the house as seen in the film.
This part of the house is the kitchen and a separate possible guest house behind.
The guesthouse as it looked in the real estate listing.
And in the film.
This real estate photo gives a glimpse inside.
The fire pit and planting area as it looked in the film.
It appears that part of it might have been a vegetable garden from this real estate listing photo.
A side view from the film.
The pool and hot tub as seen in the film.
The pool as seen in the real estate listing.
Jason Segel taking a break by the pool in the film.
Another real estate listing photo.
The new outdoor furniture in the film makes it look like the house belongs to a younger couple.
Another fire pit behind the hot tub as seen in the film.
And a sculpture beyond with actor Jesse Plemons.
A real estate listing photo with Topatopa Mountains in the background.
Another view of the exterior from the film.
This listing photos shows an outdoor dining area on the other side of the kitchen.
On the side of the house is an enclosed area that connects to another building. My guess is that’s it’s a pool house or guesthouse.
The sauna that becomes part of the film.
Let’s move into the main house. This is the living room and front door.
As you can see from the real estate listing photo, only the furniture and art changed. I’m so glad the new owners didn’t ruin it by gut renovating it.
Another view of the living room from the film.
Jason Segel checking out the place.
The room to the right of the entry is a little office.
I wonder how much of the furniture and accessories were original and what was brought in for the film.
Jesse Plemons character is a tech billionaire so the fake magazine covers were a nice touch. There wasn’t much backstory for the other characters so I ended up liking Jesse’s character even though we’re probably supposed to hate him.
The screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker who also wrote Seven discussed the backstory issue with The Wrap.
Windfall manages to reveal just enough about the backstories of its characters. When asked whether they considered shedding even more light on where these characters’ origins, Lader admits even the writers didn’t agree on certain details. “It’s one of those things that are open to interpretation and quite honestly, there were times – and this has happened before when I’ve worked with Charlie on stories – Andy and I actually disagreed with the interpretation, which is fine because it’s subjective. We knew all the answers to that.” Walker added, “Anybody’s interpretation of it, in my opinion, is equally or more apt or defining than our interpretation of it.”
The dining room can be seen behind Lily Collins.
The dining room from the listing photos.
It’s amazing what a little white paint and updated furniture and lighting can do for a space.
The kitchen is long and narrow but full of great light.
The homeowners kept the kitchen close to how they bought it but did add more cabinets to replace the small breakfast table.
Lily Collins in the kitchen with the same original wooden cabinets.
A television room or part of a guestroom in the real estate photos.
The main bedroom as it appears in the film.
The bedroom as seen in the real estate listing.
The view into the bathroom in the film.
I do appreciate that the glass doors to the bathroom had privacy fabric in the real estate listing photos.
Another view of the bedroom and bathroom in the film.
A guestroom from the listing.
I know it’s hard to see but these are the little guest cabins that were built on the property.
A view inside another of the cabins in the film.
The house is really about being outside and contemplating nature such as in this scene.
The front view of the same structure.
The full size zen rock garden on the property.
The house used in the film is a private residence and is not currently for sale so please don’t show up at their door unless you plan to make them an offer they can’t refuse. If I had millions of dollars, I’d definitely pay them a windfall for the house.