In a candid interview with The Observer, Rebecca Hall has opened up about her feelings regarding her past public apology for working with Woody Allen, six years after the resurgence of abuse allegations against the director. Hall shared her thoughts as the conversation surrounding accountability in the entertainment industry continues, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Back in 2018, after Dylan Farrow, Allen’s ex-wife Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter, penned a powerful opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times condemning actors still collaborating with Allen, Hall felt compelled to speak out. At the time, she announced her regret for participating in Allen’s film A Rainy Day in New York, stating on Instagram, "I regret this decision and wouldn’t make the same one today."

In addition to her apology, Hall pledged to donate her salary from the film to the Time’s Up campaign, a movement advocating against sexual harassment in the workplace. Among her co-stars in the film were notable actors Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, and Selena Gomez.

Fast forward to 2024, Hall expressed her growing discomfort with having previously engaged in the public discourse regarding Allen. Reflecting on her past actions, she admitted, "I struggle with this one. I don’t think it’s the responsibility of his actors to speak to that situation." Her hesitation speaks to a larger narrative within Hollywood about accountability and the pressure actors face when addressing their associations with controversial figures.

Hall recounted a pivotal moment during filming that influenced her initial statement. The day a street scene required her dialogue to confront Jude Law’s character, saying, "You’ve got to stop sleeping with these f***ing 15-year-olds," coincided with reports breaking about the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The weight of the moment was intensified by the presence of journalists, leading Hall to feel an urgency to make a statement, which now she believes oversimplified her experience with Allen.

While Hall maintains that her professional collaboration with Allen was positive—characterizing him as kind and providing her with valuable opportunities—she recognized that her public statement was misinterpreted in the industry. "It just became another person denounces Woody Allen and regrets working with him, which is not what I said actually," she clarified.

Despite her discomfort with the controversy, Hall empathizes with others who may have faced different experiences with Allen, emphasizing, "I don’t talk to him anymore, but I don’t think we should be the ones doing judge and jury on this." In hindsight, she expressed a desire to focus on her craft rather than participate in public controversies, stating, "My policy is to be an artist. I just think it’s my job."

Beyond her reflections on Allen, Hall has made strides in her career, having directed her feature film Passing in 2022 and preparing to direct a second project, marking her evolution as an artist. The ongoing discussion surrounding the accusations against Woody Allen, first made public in 1992 and revisited in the 2021 HBO docuseries Allen v. Farrow, continues to shape dialogues about accountability within the entertainment industry.

As the landscape of Hollywood evolves, Hall’s introspection serves as a reminder of the complex intersection of art, accountability, and personal values. What do you think about her regrets? Did she make the right choice then, and what does the future hold for Hollywood’s moral compass?