Hollywood star Matt Damon has found himself at the centre of online ridicule after a recent interview where he attempted to speak Spanish, with critics labelling his skills as sub-par. The surprising twist, however, was the widespread praise heaped upon his co-star and lifelong friend, Ben Affleck, for his notably more fluent and colloquial command of the language.
Viral Clip Sparks Language Debate
The incident unfolded on the red carpet as Damon, 55, and Affleck, 53, promoted their new Netflix police drama, The Rip. In a clip that rapidly gained traction online, both actors fielded questions in Spanish. While the attempt was commendable, the internet was quick to dissect their differing proficiency levels.
Social media users expressed astonishment that Damon, who has been studying Spanish since his teenage years and is married to Argentine-born Luciana Barroso, did not demonstrate greater fluency. "How can it be that after all these years Matt Damon still has s****y Spanish? Ben Affleck already knew that he speaks better than JLo, much better," declared one blunt commentator.
Another user quipped: "Matt is married to an Argentine and Affleck speaks better hahahahahahaha." Observations noted that Damon's Spanish sounded reserved or like someone who had spent only a semester in a Spanish-speaking country, whereas Affleck's was lauded for its natural flow.
Affleck's Accent Wins Plaudits
In stark contrast, Ben Affleck's performance was met with genuine admiration. Fans were impressed by his accent and confident delivery. "Ben's Spanish accent is genuinely amazing, it sounds so colloquial. If he said that Spanish is his first language and he just hasn't spoken it for a while, I would believe it," one fan enthused.
Others noted his energetic approach, with one writing: "I've seen some of Ben's Spanish interviews and although he struggles with some vocabulary and grammar the effort and energy he brings when speaking Spanish is much appreciated." Some even humorously suggested he sounded like a native of Northern Mexico, highlighting the perceived authenticity of his accent.
Family Teasing on the Red Carpet
Unfortunately for the Bourne Identity actor, his language skills weren't the only thing drawing playful fire. In a separate moment captured by Entertainment Tonight, Damon's 17-year-old daughter, Gia, publicly mocked his awkward red carpet pose.
As he returned to his family after taking photos, Gia immediately asked, "Why are you standing like this?" before hilariously imitating his hunched posture and flared arms. Damon took the jest in good spirits, bursting into laughter and copying her exaggerated impression.
The actor was supported at the event by his wife Luciana, whom he first met at a Miami bar in 2003 while filming Stuck On You. The couple married three years later. Damon is stepfather to Luciana's daughter Alexia, 25, and they share three more daughters: Isabella, 19, Stella, 15, and Gia, 17.
Focus Returns to New Film 'The Rip'
Despite the light-hearted controversy, the professional focus remains on the duo's latest project. The Rip is a Netflix crime drama following a group of Miami police officers whose discovery of a multi-million dollar cash haul triggers intense distrust and paranoia within the unit.
In the film, Affleck portrays Detective Sergeant JD Byrne, with Damon starring as Lieutenant Dane Dumars. The cast also includes Teyana Taylor, fresh from her Golden Globes win. The film promises to reunite the famous friends on screen in a high-stakes narrative far removed from their red carpet language challenges.
