Sean Penn appeared on The Louis Theroux Podcast, and when the conversation turned to Woody Allen, the two-time Oscar winner offered an emphatic and unapologetic defense of the director.
In 1999, Allen directed Penn in “Sweet and Lowdown,” a film that earned the actor an Academy Award nomination. He portrayed a jazz guitarist who develops a romantic relationship with a mute woman, portrayed by Samantha Morton.
“I love that movie. I’d work with him again in a heartbeat if it was the right thing,” Penn said about Allen, who was accused of sexual abuse by his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow.
“Do I think he has a bad rep?” Penn then asked, referring to the allegations. “Look, with these things… I don’t know anyone well enough to say 100% this didn’t happen or that didn’t happen or something. God forbid you’re wrong and there is a victim involved, right? I haven’t read everything, but the stories are mostly told by people who I would not trust with a dime. It seems so heavily weighted in that way.”
When podcast host Theroux mentioned that the accusations against Allen were made by his adopted children, including Ronan Farrow—who is a journalist— Penn responded by defending Allen. “I am not aware of any clinical psychologist or psychiatrist or anyone I ever heard talk about the subject of pedophilia that in 80 years of life it only happens once. I am not aware of that.”
“When people try to associate his much younger girlfriends, right or wrong is not the conversation here,” Penn continued. “Post-puberty consensual stuff is a different conversation.”
“I just think that whatever is the worst of people’s suspicions about him, just check them with the facts separate from the [#MeToo] movement and all those who benefited from that,” the Oscar winner concluded. “Let’s just take a second is all I’m saying. I see he is not proven guilty, so I take him as innocent. I would work with him in a heartbeat.”
Clearly, Penn doesn’t believe the accusations rallied against Allen that he molested Dylan. Robert Weide’s excellent dissections of Allen v Farrow which were published on 5.30.16, 12.13.17 and, most recently, 1.14.18, are mentioned. As well as Moses Farrow’s vehement defense of his dad.
Woody Allen’s recent filmmaking endeavors have faced significant challenges. His planned film set in Italy was canceled in late 2024 due to a lack of financing, leaving the project shelved. Subsequently, Allen shifted his focus to Barcelona, where he was preparing to shoot a new film in 2025. However, reports suggest that this Spanish project is also encountering financial difficulties, potentially jeopardizing its production.
Despite these setbacks, Allen remains committed to filmmaking, stating that he will continue as long as someone is willing to finance his projects .
Netflix and Skydance Animation have also called it quits. The two sides announced Monday that they're ending the animated film deal struck back in 2023, framing it as a mutual decision.