How a Disturbing On‑Set Incident Allegedly Led to the Safdie Brothers’ Split

Hollywood is buzzing over the reported fallout between indie powerhouses Josh and Benny Safdie. The acclaimed brothers behind Good Time and Uncut Gems are officially done as a creative duo—and the reason may shock fans. For years, Josh and Benny redefined gritty, immersive indie cinema, but their collaboration came to an abrupt halt in 2023. Each brother now works solo: Josh directed Marty Supreme with Timothée Chalamet, while Benny moved on to The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne Johnson.

At the heart of the split is a disturbing incident on the set of Good Time. Reports claim a 17-year-old girl, cast as a sex worker, was involved in an explicit scene with non-professional actor Buddy Duress, who allegedly exposed himself and made inappropriate advances while cameras rolled. Josh reportedly watched the scene from a monitor, while Benny handled sound nearby. The footage was later cut from the film “for creative reasons,” but the revelation of the girl’s age years later reportedly triggered serious tension between the brothers.

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Benny allegedly only learned the full details in 2022. Sources say Josh blamed producer Sebastian Bear-McClard, while Bear-McClard denied responsibility. The fallout reportedly contributed to the cancellation of a high-profile Netflix project and the end of their shared production company. By March 2023, Benny officially ended their creative partnership. Today, the brothers make films separately and reportedly avoid collaborating publicly.

The incident has reignited debate about ethics in filmmaking. Critics highlight the pressure indie directors sometimes place on young or non-professional actors in pursuit of raw authenticity, while advocates stress the need to better protect minors and vulnerable performers. The Safdie brothers’ split is more than a Hollywood feud—it’s a stark reminder of the balance between artistic ambition and ethical responsibility. Once celebrated as one of cinema’s most dynamic sibling duos, their story now serves as a warning: some creative risks can come at a steep personal and professional cost.

About the Author

Megan Hilborne

Author

Megan is a freelance writer and film critic based in Portsmouth. She graduated with a degree in Film in 2020 and has continued her study of the medium in her day-to-day life. She takes particular interest in indie, horror, feminist and queer cinema. Some of her writing credits include an interview with Academy Award winner Sean Baker and Time’s 2025 Most Influential People inductee Mo Abudu.

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