Renowned screenwriter and director Paul Schrader is facing serious allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault from a former assistant, referred to as Jane Doe in legal documents. This controversy has intensified following claims that Schrader allegedly backed out of a previously agreed-upon settlement between the parties involved.
The allegations stem from an incident that allegedly occurred in May 2024, coinciding with the premiere of Schrader’s film Oh, Canada at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. According to the legal filing obtained by Variety, the plaintiff alleges that Schrader coerced her into his hotel room, where he engaged in unwanted physical contact. The filing states, “In May of 2024, at the film festival, Defendant Schrader demanded Ms. Doe go to his hotel room, trapped her inside, grabbed her arms, and thrust his face into hers to kiss her against her will.” The plaintiff claims that she eventually managed to escape the hotel room.
Just three days after the alleged assault, Schrader reportedly summoned his assistant to his hotel room under alarming pretenses, claiming he was “dying.” Upon her arrival, the filing describes a disturbing scene in which Schrader opened the door wearing only a bathrobe, fully exposed. As Doe attempted to pack his bags in fear, he allegedly made inappropriate comments about his state, stating, “I am so sweaty. I sweated through the bedsheets. Feel how wet they are.” This unsettling encounter further raises concerns about Schrader’s behavior during the assistant’s employment.
Jane Doe was employed by Paul Schrader from May 2021 until September 2024. The legal documents assert that after she rejected Schrader’s sexual advances, he retaliated by terminating her employment on September 23, 2024. Just two days later, Schrader allegedly acknowledged his misconduct in an email, stating, “So I fucked up. Big time… . If I have become a Harvey Weinstein in your mind then of course you have no choice but to put me in the rear view mirror.”
The legal filing indicates that Doe and Schrader's legal teams had reached a settlement agreement. This agreement involved a confidential sum to be paid over seven months. While Jane Doe honored her part by refraining from pursuing civil action, Schrader reportedly declined to sign the agreement after “soul searching,” claiming he could not “live with himself” if he fulfilled the settlement terms. The filing seeks to enforce the reinstatement of this binding agreement.
In response to the allegations, Schrader's lawyer, Philip Kessler, characterized the legal filing as “loaded with inaccuracies.” He dismissed the breach of contract claim as “desperate, opportunistic, and frivolous,” emphasizing that since Schrader never signed the settlement, it cannot be enforced legally. Kessler also referenced past social media posts by Doe that praised Schrader and noted that she had frequently accompanied him to dinners and film festivals, suggesting that she had not expressed any discomfort during those instances.
The accusations against Paul Schrader have ignited significant media attention, raising critical questions about conduct and accountability within the film industry. As the situation develops, it remains essential to monitor the legal proceedings and the implications they may have for all parties involved.
