Ben Affleck seems to send conflicting signals around his ex-wife and current spouse.
The "Batman" star previously married Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018. In 2021, he reconnected with Lopez, whom he dated in the early 2000s before marrying Garner, and they married in secret in Las Vegas in July 2022.
Affleck has been pictured with the two women on several occasions due to his close relationship with them. Interestingly, one anonymous insider stated he appeared uptight with Lopez but relaxed with the "Yes Day" actress.
"He seems so relaxed and, well, happy when he's with Jen, but with J. Lo, he seems tense, even angry at times. Ben put Jen through hell when they were together, but they've worked past all of that. There's been a lot of healing, and they may be closer now -- as friends -- than they were when they were a couple,” an unnamed insider told Life & Style.
Patti Wood, a body language specialist and author of "Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language & Charisma," commented on Affleck's movements toward Garner and Lopez. According to their images, Affleck appeared uncomfortable and melancholy surrounding the "Marry Me" actress.
Meanwhile, Wood described a photo in which Affleck placed a hand on Garner's shoulder while they talked as "playful."
"The arm on her shoulder is almost 'now, now, now, come on.' It's an interaction that's almost like he said something funny or absurd, and she's going, 'Oh, my God, I can't believe you said that!'" Wood explained to the entertainment news outlet.
In another snap, Garner appeared to giggle while Affleck smiled beside her. The expert stated that the ex-partners appeared to be laughing together.
"What I like is she's truly happy. She has that great open mouth, front upper teeth fully exposed, and you can see what I call 'a smile crushed eyes. I also like that his body lean is toward her. That tells me they're sharing a laugh. He's got a grin. He's getting a little secret pleasure from the moment,” Patti explained.
In another photo of Garner and Affleck facing each other, Wood saw that their feet, pelvises, and bellies were pointed toward each other, implying that they were "grounded together."
"Even their hearts are centered and pointed toward each other," she added. She also looked at Affleck and Lopez's PDA-packed photographs. In one photograph, they kissed, but the "Justice League" actor appeared stiff.
"He appears slightly worried, and you can see the worry from the indent in the middle of his brows, his raised eyes and the tenseness around his mouth. She's fine. Her head is forward, and she's got her body forward,” Patti stated.
Another photo was shot at the opening of Lopez's film "The Mother," when they appeared to have an active conversation. However, Wood stated that Ben appeared vulnerable, but J.Lo appeared "done" with whatever they were discussing at the time.
"He's showing worry, fear, surprise and sadness. His forehead is raised, his jaw drops open, so that's surprise and a little bit of fear. The finger up and pointing is expressive of the message, 'Hold on a minute.' She's just done and said something, and he's going, 'What?' He's in a very vulnerable and emotional state,” Wood stated.
Aside from looking uncomfortable, Wood noted that Affleck appeared "sad" in one image with Lopez.
"Ben's hand is on his head. He's trying to hold in his emotions, but the predominant emotion is sadness, and you can tell that because his gaze is directed downward -- that's No. 1 for sadness. And his mouth is opened in anguish. It's like, 'ugh,'" Patti said.
Lopez published a tell-all documentary about their love story in February, and while Affleck was skeptical at first, he ultimately embraced his wife. Following the project's premiere, the couple was photographed looking "puzzled." However, body language expert Judi James observed how the "Gone Girl" star looked after his wife despite his "inner anxiety or tension."
