Max Landis — the screenwriter behind films like Chronicle and Bright and the son of director John Landis — has been accused of sexual, emotional and physical abuse by eight women. What follows includes graphic descriptions that may disturb some readers.
Today, The Daily Beast published a lengthy exposé featuring the stories of eight different women, each of whom had shocking stories about their relationships with Landis.
The stories have similarities in that they involve women being invited into Landis' "exclusive" circle of friends, which he called "the Colour Society." From there, Landis was accused of aggressively pursuing women for sex, then abusing them physically, emotionally and verbally.
"He just sort of wears you down. He's that persistent. He sees something shiny and he wants it. He's like, I have to have it," said a former friend and ex using the name Samantha. "He would systematically try to have sex with all the women I knew. We're not people to him."
Landis' ex-girlfriend Ani Baker recalled a time she playfully slapped Landis on the butt, at which point he allegedly choked her.
"He turned around and he put his hands around my throat and he got very close to my face," she said. "He said, 'I will fucking kill you. Do you understand what I'm saying? I will fucking kill you.'"
An ex using the pseudonym Julie called Landis a "serial rapist, gaslighter, physical and psychological abuser who tormented me for six years, long after our romantic relationship, both directly and behind my back." She detailed allegations of rape against the writer, adding that he would allegedly show her humiliation porn in an attempt to break her down emotionally.
The stories go on and on, and Julie accused Landis of using his fame and power to cover up his alleged misdeeds.
"He discredited any person who criticized him and started smear campaigns on pretty much every person who has ever been his friend," Julie said. "He trusted that we wouldn't ever say anything, worked actively to discredit people who were saying things, and was just as consistent in the abuse as he was with covering it up and manipulating us afterwards."
Max Landis did not respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment. He has not been formally charged for any crime.
You can read the full Daily Beast piece here.
Today, The Daily Beast published a lengthy exposé featuring the stories of eight different women, each of whom had shocking stories about their relationships with Landis.
The stories have similarities in that they involve women being invited into Landis' "exclusive" circle of friends, which he called "the Colour Society." From there, Landis was accused of aggressively pursuing women for sex, then abusing them physically, emotionally and verbally.
"He just sort of wears you down. He's that persistent. He sees something shiny and he wants it. He's like, I have to have it," said a former friend and ex using the name Samantha. "He would systematically try to have sex with all the women I knew. We're not people to him."
Landis' ex-girlfriend Ani Baker recalled a time she playfully slapped Landis on the butt, at which point he allegedly choked her.
"He turned around and he put his hands around my throat and he got very close to my face," she said. "He said, 'I will fucking kill you. Do you understand what I'm saying? I will fucking kill you.'"
An ex using the pseudonym Julie called Landis a "serial rapist, gaslighter, physical and psychological abuser who tormented me for six years, long after our romantic relationship, both directly and behind my back." She detailed allegations of rape against the writer, adding that he would allegedly show her humiliation porn in an attempt to break her down emotionally.
The stories go on and on, and Julie accused Landis of using his fame and power to cover up his alleged misdeeds.
"He discredited any person who criticized him and started smear campaigns on pretty much every person who has ever been his friend," Julie said. "He trusted that we wouldn't ever say anything, worked actively to discredit people who were saying things, and was just as consistent in the abuse as he was with covering it up and manipulating us afterwards."
Max Landis did not respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment. He has not been formally charged for any crime.
You can read the full Daily Beast piece here.