Keanu Reeves is speaking out on behalf of a friend.
Keanu Reeves, known for his role in The Matrix, wrote a letter to a judge asking for leniency in the sentencing of director Carl Rinsch. Rinsch was convicted in December of defrauding Netflix out of $11 million and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29th.
Keanu Reeves has written a letter supporting Carl Rinsch ahead of his sentencing. While Reeves admits he isn’t familiar with the specifics of the case, he shared his hope that Rinsch will receive a lenient and merciful sentence, alongside just punishment, according to Us Weekly.
The 61-year-old said he and Rinsch became friends after she directed him in the 2013 movie 47 Ronin, which was Rinsch’s first time directing a film.
Keanu Reeves said he went to a friend’s wedding in Uruguay in 2014. He also mentioned that he would visit the friend and his wife at their home in Los Angeles every now and then to talk about life and art.
The John Wick actor also mentioned that Rinsch had let him see a rough version of his show, White Horse – a sci-fi series Netflix had funded – but the show was ultimately never completed.
Reeves described Carl as a truly gifted artist, calling his painting White Horse – as he saw it – a remarkable and forward-thinking piece, even though it wasn’t complete. He clarified that he was offering his opinion as a fellow artist and friend, not as a mental health professional.
He explained that he wasn’t trying to excuse the actions or lessen their seriousness, but simply offer a possible reason behind them.
Ultimately, Reeves asked the judge for “leniency” toward Rinsch.
In March 2025, the director was arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The charges relate to a scheme to defraud a streaming service and involve funds received for the show White Horse.
According to prosecutors, between 2019 and 2020, Rinsch reportedly asked Netflix for funds to finish White Horse, but those funds weren’t actually used for the show.
The press release states that Rinsch spent the money on cryptocurrency and personal items, including over $1.7 million in credit card payments, $395,000 on hotels, and more than $3.7 million on furniture and antiques. He also purchased five Rolls-Royces and one Ferrari for over $2.4 million.
Rinsch was found guilty of wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying a potential 20-year prison sentence. He was also convicted on five counts related to handling money obtained illegally, which could add another 10 years to his sentence, according to Us Weekly.
After the court’s decision in December, Benjamin Zeman, Rinsch’s lawyer, explained his reaction.
He believes the court reached the wrong decision and worries it could create a risky situation for artists facing contract or creative disagreements with those who fund their work. Specifically, he’s concerned about artists being accused of fraud by large companies and facing federal charges, as reported by Variety.
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2026-05-30 00:47