What was meant to be a relaxing late-night movie outing turned violent for a Harvard researcher who says he was assaulted by a group of teenagers inside a Boston theater.
Thiago Rentz, 35, a researcher from Brazil, told NBC10 that the incident occurred Sunday at the AMC Boston Common 19 while he was watching the horror film Weapons.
“They were disturbing everyone, clapping and screaming the whole time,” Rentz recalled. “I asked them for respect. I asked them to leave the theater because we just wanted to watch the movie.”
When the group ignored him, Rentz said he tried again, only for the situation to escalate after the movie ended and most of the audience had left.
“It was me against five,” he said. “They made a wall so I couldn’t leave. Then they started punching me. I didn’t fight back—I was scared. I just faced the wall and tried to protect my head, but they kept hitting my head and face.”
The attackers fled, leaving Rentz injured and bleeding. His friend managed to find a theater worker, who led them to a security guard. Emergency responders were then called.
Boston police said they arrived at the Tremont Street theater around 12:45 a.m. Rentz reported the assault happened at about 12:15 a.m. and that he sustained a minor nose injury, according to NBC10.
Days later, Rentz is still recovering with a black eye. He expressed frustration that the assault happened in front of witnesses and that he has not heard from AMC.
“Harassment is not acceptable in a public space,” he said. “This is absurd, and I think they need to hire more security.”
Rentz said he intends to follow up this week to ensure security footage is reviewed. He described the teens as dressed in black but not masked.
“I want the attackers to be identified because they need to be punished,” he said.
The Independent has contacted AMC for comment.
