Producers for Jason Isaacs' new movie,The Salt Path, have spoken out to defend the film in the wake of recent controversies surrounding the original book. Based on the best-selling 2018 memoir by Raynor Winn, theHarry Potterstar is also joined by theX-FilesandSex Educationstar Gillian Anderson.
The Salt Pathrecounts the story of Winn and her husband, Moth, and their long-distance walk along the southwest English coastline after the couple lost their home and Moth was diagnosed with a fatal neurodegenerative condition. However,the authenticity of the background events in the book was recently called into questionvia an article in the British newspaperThe Observer.
A spokesperson for Number 9 Films and Shadowplay Features released a statement toEntertainment Weekly,indicating thatthe ongoing issues surrounding the book are not their responsibility. Instead, theproducers stated that there were no issues when the book was first acquiredand that all necessary due diligence had been made. Check out their comments below:
There were no known claims against the book at the time of optioning it or producing and distributing the film.
Producers would also go on to state that anyqueries relating to the allegations made inThe Observer’sarticle should be directed to the original author.
The allegations made inThe Observerrelate to the book and are a matter for the author Raynor Winn. We have passed any correspondence relating to the article to Raynor and her agent.
The Salt Path Controversy Explained
Claims Question the Validity Of Key Background Events
Following the recent UK release ofThe Salt Pathmovie on June 01, 2025,The Observerfirst published an article on July 5 with the headline “The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were spun from lies, deceit and desperation”.It was the contention of thisarticle that called two of the background events inThe Salt Pathbook into question, namely the circumstances surrounding the loss of Winn’s house and the validity of Moth’s diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration.
According to claims made by Ros Hemmings, the wife of Raynor’s former employer, in the original article,Raynor Winn had omitted certain events that led to their homelessness.According to Hemmings, the author had originally gone by the name of Sally Walker and claimed that she was originally arrested after having stolen money from her husband’s business.
Thearticle also raised questions about Moth’s diagnosis, which reportedly has an average life expectancy of six to eight years, while Moth claims to have been living with the condition for 18 years. Following the release of the article, Winn issued an online statement categorizing the original report as “highly misleading”and indicated that she was currently seeking legal advice.
What These Allegations Mean For The Salt Path Movie
This Is Not The First True-Life Movie To Be Embroiled In Controversy
At this stage,The Salt Pathmovie has only been released in the United Kingdom, following its original 2024 debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. While a distribution deal is still reportedly pending for the movie’s US release, it will be interesting to seewhether the unfolding controversies could potentially dampen those plans.
This is far from the first film adaptation of a memoir to find itself wrapped up in controversies, andThe Salt Pathnow seems destined to join a long list ofbiographical films that have faced similar accusationsof misrepresenting the events upon which they are based.
Despite the producers’ best efforts to distance their film from the original author, these issues surroundingThe Salt Pathwill likely continue to impact its reception by general audiences moving forward.
The Salt Path
Cast
The Salt Path follows a couple who embark on a year-long trek along the South West Coast Path after losing their home and facing a terminal illness diagnosis. Based on a memoir, the journey explores their resilience and connection to England’s longest footpath, once patrolled by the coast guard.
