Who is Thiago Rentz? Harvard Researcher Allegedly Beaten by 5 Teens in Boston Theater

Boston, August 2025 – A 35-year-old Harvard researcher, Thiago Rentz, says he was brutally attacked inside a movie theater in downtown Boston. The incident happened last week at AMC Boston Common 19, where Rentz was watching the horror film Weapons.

According to Rentz, a group of five teenagers repeatedly disturbed the audience by clapping and screaming during the film. When he asked them to stay quiet, they allegedly turned violent.

What Happened Inside the Theater?

Rentz said the teens blocked his way when he tried to leave. “They made like a wall so I couldn’t pass,” he recalled. His friend screamed for help, but before anyone could intervene, Rentz claims the group began punching him.

“It was one, me against five. I didn’t fight back. I just covered my face,” Rentz explained. Photos after the attack show him with a badly bruised eye, a bloodied mouth, and cuts on his hand.

The attackers fled before security or police arrived. Boston police later confirmed they responded at 12:45 a.m., after the theater had already closed.

Who is Thiago Rentz?

Rentz is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. He works with Dr. Peter Libby’s group at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His research focuses on atherosclerosis, lipid metabolism, and vascular biology.

Originally from Brazil, Rentz holds a Ph.D. in Functional and Molecular Biology from the State University of Campinas. He has over a decade of experience in medical research and has also taught human physiology at the State University of Ponta Grossa.

What Happens Next?

Rentz is pushing for a full review of the theater’s security footage. He says the teens were dressed in black but did not cover their faces.

“I want the attackers to be identified because they need to be punished,” he said. He also urged theaters to hire more security staff to protect moviegoers.

Police say the case is still under investigation.