Armie Hammer has been cleared of all sexual assault charges by the Los Angeles County District Attorney. The DA announced this decision on Tuesday, stating that the investigation, conducted by the LAPD, found insufficient evidence to pursue charges against Hammer. The DA noted that the case involved a “complex relationship” between Hammer and his accuser, which made it difficult to prove a non-consensual encounter beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ruling has sparked a range of reactions, especially from those who had previously criticized Hammer over the allegations. Now, people are revisiting the accusations made against him.
What were the accusations against Armie Hammer?
Armie Hammer, who comes from a wealthy family, started making a name for himself in Hollywood with roles in movies like The Social Network, J.Edgar, Mirror Mirror, and Call Me by Your Name. However, his career faced turmoil in 2021 when Effie Angelova accused him of sexual and physical abuse, including violent rape, during their on-and-off four-year relationship. Angelova claimed that Hammer’s abusive behavior had a severe impact on her and her family, and shared text messages showing Hammer’s nonchalant attitude and attempts to downplay the situation.
Hammer responded by suggesting that the violent and sexual acts were part of a consensual role-play scenario, which he claimed Angelova had planned. He described the scenarios, such as following her and engaging in what he called “consensual non-consent,” as part of their mutual fantasies.
Other women also came forward with similar allegations, including claims about Hammer’s extreme sexual fantasies, some of which involved cannibalism. Model Paige Lorenze alleged that Hammer carved his initial into her skin and mentioned fantasies about removing her ribs to cook and eat them. Hammer’s messages included disturbing references to “drinking blood” and “eating flesh.”
Hammer faced a period of legal and public scrutiny, including time in a facility in 2021. Despite support from some of his celebrity peers, his career suffered. In a 2024 interview with Piers Morgan, Hammer addressed the allegations head-on, including the cannibalism charges. He firmly denied being a cannibal or ever eating human flesh, describing the claims as part of elaborate role-play. Hammer also responded to Lorenze’s claims about branding her, stating that any marking was done with a small knife and did not involve drawing blood.
The controversy surrounding Hammer is further complicated by his family’s history. His great-grandfather, Armand Hammer, was a well-known figure with a reputation for controlling behavior. Hammer acknowledged the dysfunctional nature of his family background but emphasized that he doesn’t blame his actions on it.
With Hammer now cleared of criminal charges, his future largely hinges on public perception and how he manages his career going forward.
