Josh and Benny Safdie were once Hollywood’s inseparable sibling duo, known for their gritty crime thrillers like Good Time and Uncut Gems.
But in recent years, reports have emerged that the brothers are no longer on speaking terms, leaving fans wondering what caused the split.
New details suggest the tension may trace back nearly a decade to a controversial incident on the set of their breakout 2017 film.
The Incident That Sparked the Rift
According to Page Six sources, the feud began during the filming of a scene in Good Time that involved a 17-year-old actress cast as a prostitute.
Benny Safdie allegedly objected when he learned the scene involved nudity and simulated sexual activity with actor Buddy Duress, who had a criminal record and a history of drug use.
Sources claim Duress, reportedly under the influence, made inappropriate advances toward the underage actress while filming continued.
The alleged mishap would have violated Screen Actors Guild rules meant to protect minors on set.
Three sources said Josh Safdie only discovered her age after the scene was shot, at which point the teenager was reportedly left traumatized.
Josh has declined to comment, and representatives for both brothers did not respond to requests for comment.
Cutting Ties and Moving On
Following the controversy, Benny reportedly distanced himself from Josh, deepening a rift that had been simmering.
Their former producing partner, Sebastian Bear-McClard, became entangled in a separate scandal years later during his divorce from Emily Ratajkowski, which brought renewed attention to the Good Time incident.
The fallout contributed to the dissolution of the Safdie brothers’ shared production company, and the two quickly went their separate ways professionally.
The Path of Buddy Duress
Duress’ acting career had a rocky start.
After being arrested for heroin possession, he opted for rehab rather than jail, eventually meeting Josh Safdie and landing a role in Heaven Knows What.
Despite ongoing legal troubles, he completed the film, though he was briefly incarcerated immediately afterward.
Duress later appeared in Person To Person and Good Time before his untimely death in 2023 at 38 from cardiac arrest linked to a drug cocktail.
Benny’s Perspective on the Split
In interviews, Benny Safdie has downplayed the idea of a feud.
In 2024, he described the separation as a natural evolution of their careers, allowing each brother to explore their own creative interests.
“It’s a natural progression of what we each want to explore. I want that freedom right now in my life,” Benny told Variety.
He added in Empire that their split was more about pursuing individual projects than personal conflict.
Josh and Benny Strike Out Solo
Since parting ways, Josh has directed Marty Supreme, a solo project that has earned critical acclaim and nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Josh.
Timothée Chalamet, the lead, also picked up a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
Meanwhile, Benny wrote and directed The Smashing Machine, an MMA-themed film starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, which received more modest recognition, including a single Oscar nod for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
What This Means for Their Future
While fans may still hope for a Safdie brothers reunion, the two appear firmly focused on solo careers.
Josh is now a hot-ticket director in Hollywood, while Benny continues to pursue his own unique storytelling path.
Their early collaboration reshaped indie cinema, but their future projects suggest each sibling is carving out a distinct legacy in his own right.
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