In a candid and powerful interview, Ben Affleck recently delved into the challenges he has faced in recent years, shedding light on his regrets, particularly surrounding his divorce from Jennifer Garner.
Affleck's revelations came during an interview with The New York Times, where he discussed the toxic nature of shame, stating, "Shame is really toxic. There are no positive consequences of shame. It just simmers in a toxic and terrible feeling of low self-esteem and self-hatred." The actor went on to express that his most profound regret in life is the dissolution of his marriage, saying, "The biggest regret of my life is this divorce."
The Hollywood star also candidly addressed his struggles with alcoholism, acknowledging the impact it had on his personal life, including his marriage. He explained, "I drank relatively normally for many years. What happened is that I started drinking more and more as my marriage broke down. This was around 2015 and 2016. My alcoholism, of course, created more marital problems."
Affleck's personal challenges coincided with his portrayal of Batman in "Batman v Superman." The film faced harsh criticism, and a memorable interview moment became a viral sensation, leading to the creation of "Sad Affleck." These setbacks, combined with his divorce, alcoholism, and issues surrounding the production and promotion of "Justice League," led Affleck to reevaluate his commitment to Warner Bros.'s plans for him to direct a solo Batman movie.
Recalling this period, Affleck shared, "I showed someone the Batman script. He told me, 'I think the script is good. I also think you'll drink yourself to death if you go through what you just went through again.'"
In the interview, Affleck emphasized the importance of not dwelling on failures and setbacks excessively. He admitted to making mistakes and having regrets but also stressed the need to learn from those experiences and strive to move forward.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, who were married for 13 years and have three children together—Violet, 14; Seraphina, 11; and Samuel, 7—separated in 2015 and finalized their divorce in 2018.
