Josh Safdie, once celebrated as one half of Hollywood’s most electric indie filmmaking duo, is now at the center of a controversy that’s rattling the industry. The director—fresh off major awards attention for his solo film Marty Supreme—is facing renewed scrutiny over disturbing allegations tied to a 2017 incident on the set of Good Time, a revelation that insiders say played a key role in the dramatic split between Josh and his brother, Benny Safdie.
The Safdie brothers built their reputation on raw, high-stress crime films that blurred the line between chaos and realism. Movies like Good Time and Uncut Gems earned them critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal following, turning them into unlikely indie darlings. For years, the brothers were seen as inseparable creatively—until their partnership quietly unraveled.
After parting ways professionally in 2023, Josh Safdie surged ahead on his own. His 2025 release Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet as a 1950s table tennis prodigy, became both a box office hit and an awards powerhouse. By early 2026, the film had landed multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, cementing Josh’s status as a solo force in Hollywood. Through his production company, Central Pictures, he also expanded into high-profile executive producer roles and continued working with A-list talent.
But that success is now being overshadowed by allegations resurfacing from the Good Time era. According to reports tied to legal disputes involving former producer Sebastian Bear-McClard, a troubling scene was filmed involving a 17-year-old actress cast as a sex worker. The scene allegedly included nudity and sexually explicit dialogue with actor Buddy Duress, who was reportedly intoxicated at the time. While the footage was ultimately cut from the final film, sources claim the incident occurred while Josh Safdie was directing on set.
The allegations suggest the situation escalated during filming, with inappropriate remarks made as cameras rolled. Benny Safdie, who was working on set in a technical role, has reportedly said he was unaware of what was happening in the moment. The claims have circulated quietly among industry insiders for years but have now erupted into public view, prompting questions about on-set oversight, consent, and the protection of young performers.
Hollywood reaction has been swift and uneasy. Observers note that the timing is especially jarring given Josh Safdie’s recent awards-season momentum, while Benny’s latest directorial effort failed to gain similar recognition. What was once chalked up to creative differences or career divergence is now being reexamined through a far darker lens, with many insiders pointing to the 2017 incident as the true fracture point between the brothers.
So far, no criminal charges have been announced in connection with the allegations, and no official findings have been made public. Still, the controversy has reignited broader conversations in the film industry about accountability, ethical boundaries, and how power dynamics on set can leave young actors vulnerable.
As Josh Safdie continues to build his post-brother career, the shadow of the past looms large. His talent remains undeniable, but the resurfacing of these allegations has complicated his public image, raising uncomfortable questions about whether his legacy will ultimately be defined by cinematic achievement—or by the controversy now attached to his name.
