“The Rip” Director Joe Carnahan Hit with Shocking Sexual Battery Allegations
In a legal battle that is starting to sound way darker than his grittiest thrillers, Joe Carnahan – the filmmaker behind “Smokin’ Aces” and Netflix’s recent hit “The Rip” – finds himself front and center of some serious allegations. This involves sexual battery, assault, and stalking. The accusations come from his former partner, Michelle Crosby, and they paint a disturbing picture of their four-year tumultuous relationship that allegedly descended into violence and coercion.
Joe Carnahan and Michelle Crosby’s Counter Suits
While Carnahan’s latest film, “The Rip” which stars best buds Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, climbs the streaming charts, the director is facing a cross-complaint filed by Crosby in September. This filing serves as a counter-move to Carnahan’s own lawsuit, in which he accused Crosby of damaging his Porsche and harassment. However, the allegations made by Crosby are far more severe; they state specific instances of physical abuse and indicate a relationship defined by power imbalances.
A “Pattern of Violence”
According to court documents, Crosby alleges that what began as a connection over common interests in 2020 eventually devolved into a nightmare. She claims that she moved into Carnahan’s Los Angeles home in 2023 at his urging, giving up her life in New York to possibly start a production company with him. Instead, she describes a “pattern of physical violence,” citing a terrifying incident at his Sierra Madre home where she claims he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her to the floor.
Perhaps the most harrowing allegation involves a sexual encounter at an Indian Wells hotel in 2024. Crosby states that the interaction “turned violent when Carnahan suddenly yanked her hair as she screamed for him to stop.” These are weighty accusations which suggest deep trauma. It aims to shed light on what she calls an “abuse of power by a prominent Hollywood figure.”
Joe Carnahan’s Denial and Counterclaims
Carnahan vehemently denies these claims from Crosby. Speaking through his legal representatives, he maintains that their relationship was entirely consensual and it ended in the spring of 2024. His reps claim Crosby’s lawsuit as retaliatory, suggesting she has timed her allegations to coincide with the release of “The Rip,” as to inflict maximum damage on his career.
Per Hollywood Reporter, Wendy Slavkin, Carnahan’s attorney, further clarified the situation. She stated:
“The allegations against Joe were dismissed in July of 2025, and he has not had any contact with the defendant outside of a courtroom last May, while trying to obtain a permanent restraining order against her.”
The director’s defense points out that Crosby herself has faced legal scrutiny. Carnahan’s team highlighted that she was arrested twice for domestic violence during their relationship and that he has sought a restraining order against her. Carnahan is seeking $33,000 in damages for his vehicle and wants protection for his family, claiming ongoing harassment.
The Legal Reality of the Case
Navigating these “he said, she said” scenarios is often legally complex. It is worth noting that the Riverside County District Attorney’s office reviewed a claim regarding the alleged sexual battery, but they did not file any charges due to “insufficient evidence.” Similarly, the Los Angeles prosecutors also declined to charge Carnahan regarding prior stalking allegations.
The absence of criminal charges does not equate to innocence in civil court. This is where the burden of proof is lower. Crosby is seeking unspecified damages, including $3 million for luxury items she alleges Carnahan stole, alongside his accountability for the trauma that she claims to have endured.
As this legal case unfolds, it serves as a harsh reminder of the challenges which often hide behind the façade and glamour of Hollywood success. Currently “The Rip” is having its moment in the spotlight, but its director faces a harrowing real life courtroom drama. This is where the consequences are very real and reputations are at stake.
