Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Jennifer Lopez says new movie about 'dysfunctional family', filmed during Ben Affleck marriage, hit 'close to home'

JLo premiered her new film Unstoppable at TIFF


The actress filed papers with an LA County court on August 21© Hector Vivas
Rebecca Lewis
Rebecca Lewis - Los Angeles
Los Angeles correspondentLos Angeles
September 8, 2024
Share this:

Jennifer Lopez is offering insight into her mindset, weeks after filing for divorce from Ben Affleck.

The actress premiered her new film Unstoppable – which Ben helped to co-produce – at Toronto International Film Festival on Friday September 8 and has now revealed that there were times on set when she struggled because the character traits and developments hit too close to home.

Jennifer Lopez speaks during a press interview at Toronto International Film Festival 2024 © Deadline
Jennifer Lopez speaks during a press interview at Toronto International Film Festival 2024

"I struggled on the set a couple of times," she told People magazine. "I was like, 'Ugh, too close.'"

"Women who are moms who get in relationships, and you struggle with them, and you find yourself in dynamics that are not healthy, but you care about the person, love the person? That's those complicated dynamics about life that I understand really well," she continued.

Jennifer Lopez stars in Unstoppable alongside Jharrel Jerome
Jennifer Lopez stars in Unstoppable alongside Jharrel Jerome

In Unstoppable, Jennifer plays Judy Robles, the mom of NCAA wrestling national champion Anthony Robles, and Jennifer acknowledged that being involved in portraying the "dysfunctional and unhealthy" relationship between Judy and her husband Rich felt "very cathartic".

Jennifer Lopez attends the premiere of "Unstoppable" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 06, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.© Emma McIntyre
Jennifer attended the red carpet solo

Jennifer married Ben in 2022 and they began shooting the film alongside Matt Damon, another co-producer, in early May 2023.

They were forced to stop during the SAG and WGA strikes before picking up again at the end of the year.

Bobby Cannavale, Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, and Matt Damon attend the premiere of "Unstoppable" © Monica Schipper
Bobby Cannavale, Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer, Don Cheadle, and Matt Damon attend the premiere of Unstoppable

However by early 2024 there were cracks in their marriage, and the pair split in April 2024, less than two years after they eloped in Las Vegas.

Ben did not attend the premiere, but Matt did, and Jen and Matt took a few pictures together on the red carpet.

Ben and Jen looked loved up© Kevin Winter
Ben and Jen wed in 2022

There had been signs of significant turmoil, notably when Ben was pictured moving his things out of their $68 million mansion, and the occasions when they were seen without wedding rings.

July 16, 2024 marked their second wedding anniversary, and they spent it apart, with Jennifer in the Hamptons with friends, and Ben in Los Angeles.

Jennifer filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court on August 21, 2024, and listed April 26, 2024 as the date of separation. She also filed for divorce without a lawyer.

Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more