The film is set on a fictional tropical island called Paradise Island. Yes, really. They named the island “Paradise,” which is like naming your dog “Dog” or your fish “Mr. Fish.” But here’s the kicker: Return to Paradise was filmed in Australia, specifically on the gorgeous coast of Queensland. The filmmakers just pretended it was a made-up island nation. It’s like when your friend says they went to the Bahamas, but you know they actually just drove to a lake in Ohio with a palm tree prop.
The fictional island itself is supposed to be somewhere in the South Pacific, near Fiji or Vanuatu. But the script never gives you a latitude or longitude—because who has time for geography when there’s a moral dilemma about a suitcase full of hashish? The real twist? The island’s government is completely made up. There is no “Republic of Paradise Island” in any atlas. You can check. I did. I’m still waiting for my refund from Google Maps.
