Director Carl Rinsch received a 30-month prison sentence for defrauding Netflix of $11 million. However, court documents and detailed reporting show his ex-wife Gabriela Roses Bentancor raised serious concerns about his mental state long before the fraud came to light.
Rinsch, known for directing the 2013 film 47 Ronin, was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering in December 2025. Prosecutors proved he misused funds meant for the sci-fi series Conquest (originally titled White Horse). Instead of finishing the show, he spent millions on luxury cars, furniture, and risky crypto investments.
Bentancor, a Uruguayan model and fashion designer, married Rinsch in 2014. She filed for divorce in July 2020. Her divorce filings and interviews with cast and crew painted a troubling picture of the director’s behavior.
Early Warning Signs on Production Set
Problems emerged quickly after Netflix signed Rinsch in 2018. The streaming platform won a bidding war for his sci-fi concept, offering over $55 million and final-cut privileges. But production became chaotic.
Shooting took place in São Paulo, Uruguay, and Budapest. The film union in Brazil complained about Rinsch’s treatment of crew members. Reports described shouting and cursing on set.
The situation worsened during the Budapest shoot. Rinsch allegedly stayed awake for days without sleeping. He accused his wife and co-producer, Bentancor, of plotting to murder him. Her divorce filing claimed Rinsch threw objects at her and punched holes in walls before filming even began.
Crew members attributed some behavior to possible side effects from ADHD medication. In 2019, Bentancor hired a behavioral health consultant to try persuading Rinsch to enter rehabilitation. An intervention took place involving Bentancor, Rinsch’s brother, and several crew members.
Erratic Claims and Missed Deadlines
Rinsch’s behavior became more unpredictable. According to a lengthy New York Times investigation, he fixated on imaginary “organic intelligent forces” represented by passing airplanes. He claimed to have mapped COVID-19 signals within the earth’s core. He also believed he could predict lightning strikes and volcanic eruptions.
Despite missing production milestones, Rinsch requested additional funding. In March 2020, Netflix sent $11 million more. He transferred $10.5 million to his personal brokerage account. He lost half of it within months on stock options. He later invested remaining funds in Dogecoin and made a profit.
Lavish Spending and Legal Consequences
Rinsch spent the money on extravagant purchases instead of production. Prosecutors detailed acquisitions including:
- Five Rolls-Royce automobiles
- A red Ferrari
- A Vacheron Constantin watch worth $387,630
- $652,000 on watches and clothing
- $638,000 on two mattresses
- Additional $295,000 on luxury bedding
Netflix stopped funding the project in March 2021 after receiving no completed episodes. The company wrote off over $55 million in costs.
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Recent Sentencing and Mental Health Arguments
On June 28, 2026, Judge Jed Rakoff sentenced Rinsch to 30 months in prison. The court also ordered $11 million in restitution. Prosecutors had requested a 60-month sentence.
Rinsch spoke in court, saying: “This process has forced me to confront things about my health, my judgment and my life. I failed to recognize the danger of the state I was in.”
Keanu Reeves, star of 47 Ronin, wrote a character letter asking for leniency. Reeves described Rinsch as an “exceptional artist” who could “self-sabotage” but also “bring exceptional joy and warmth to the people around him.”
Judge Rakoff acknowledged Rinsch’s mental health struggles but stated: “He was determined to lie to get substantial monies from Netflix and lie to cover it up.”
Rinsch must surrender to prison on September 1, 2026. His lawyers plan to appeal the case.
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