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Olivier Martinez files for restraining order against Halle Berry, alleging abuse of their son

Actor Olivier Martinez has filed court papers seeking a restraining order and sole custody, alleging Halle Berry choked their 12-year-old son on 26 September 2026. Berry had not publicly responded in the coverage.

3 outlets · 1L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Variety.

Image: Hindustan Times
Image: Variety
Image: Daily Mail

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The story, neutrally told

Olivier Martinez has filed for a temporary restraining order against his ex-wife Halle Berry, accusing her of physically abusing their 12-year-old son, Maceo. Martinez alleges that on 26 September 2026 Berry jumped on Maceo and choked him; Hindustan Times, citing court documents reported by Page Six, adds that he says Berry's fiancé, Van Hunt, was present. He also alleges that over the past year and a half Berry wrestled Maceo to the ground and made him "tap out" repeatedly, which he says she described as joking, and that she slapped the boy twice about five years ago, an incident Martinez says he did not witness.

According to the Daily Mail's reading of the filing, Martinez further claims Berry made racially charged remarks to Maceo in 2023, threatened to have Martinez deported to France, and has problems with alcohol and mental health, which he believes contributed to her conduct. Martinez is seeking sole custody of Maceo and an order keeping Berry 100 yards from him and their son. The Daily Mail adds that he asks for a 52-week batterer intervention program for Berry and for sobriety testing during visits. Variety, citing TMZ, reports that the parents have been ordered to take part in confidential mediation over custody. It also quotes Martinez saying Berry texted him to apologise after the incident and that he does not want to permanently sever the relationship between son and mother, but believes they should not interact until she takes sufficient accountability.

These are allegations in a court filing, and none of the three outlets reports any finding by a court. Berry had not publicly responded, and both the Daily Mail and Variety said her representatives had not replied to requests for comment. The filing follows a long-running custody dispute: in 2024 Berry sought sole legal custody, saying Martinez was not cooperating with co-parenting arrangements, and Martinez disputed her claims. The outlets differ on the divorce: Hindustan Times says the couple separated in 2015 and the divorce was finalised in 2016, the Daily Mail says it was finalised in 2023, and Variety says they filed for divorce in 2015 after two years of marriage. All say they married in 2013.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Concise news report led by the abuse allegation and the restraining-order petition, with Berry identified by her 'Catwoman' role.
Emphasis
The 26 September allegation, the sole-custody request, the mediation order, Berry's reported apology text and Martinez's wish not to permanently sever mother and son.
Leaves out or plays down
Leaves out the wrestling and 'tap out' claims, the deportation threat, the 52-week program request and the earlier custody litigation.
For example
“Halle Berry is being accused of abusing her 12-year-old son by her ex-husband, actor Olivier Martinez” — Variety
“I do not want topermanently sever the relationship between our son and Petitioner” — Variety

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Explainer on Berry's children that places the allegations within the family's history, leading with who Maceo and Nahla are.
Emphasis
Brief summary of the allegations, the children's backgrounds and the earlier custody dispute.
Leaves out or plays down
Leaves out the racial remarks, deportation threat, alcohol claims, and the batterer-program and sobriety requests.
For example
“The latest allegations mark another development in their long-running custody dispute.” — Hindustan Times

Right1 outlet

Framing
Allegation-led story built on quotes from the filing, with the choking claim in the headline.
Emphasis
Detailed quotes, including racial remarks, alcohol and mental-health claims, and the requested remedies; also the 2012 Aubry fight and Berry's legal-fee claims.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention Page Six as the earlier source, the mediation order or Berry's apology text; offers little on Berry's side beyond her earlier court claims.
For example
“Court documents lay bare a series of alleged disputes between Berry, Martinez, and their son over the last few years” — Daily Mail