Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's recent body language on paintball outings shows an ongoing level of “emotional intimacy.”
Affleck and Garner were laughing the whole time. They “had a lot of good energy around them,” a source told Fox News Digital about The Outing. “You can say they were there primarily for their children.”
The symbiosis looked “very wonderful” and they had “very fun,” the insider added. “There's nothing wrong between them.”
Affleck and Garner's actions show that they “still share emotional intimacy,” body language experts told Fox News Digital.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finalize divorce after two years of marriage
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck spent time together while outings for paintball. (Backgrid)
In a recent video, Affleck hugs Garner and aims for a paintball gun with an invisible target. After the embrace is not returned by Garner, Affleck drops his arm and aims for his own paintball gun while a moment of intimacy appears to pass.
Watch: Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck join together on a paintball outing
“A lot of couples with parents standing in divorce with distance between their bodies as a way to maintain emotional distance,” said body language expert Nicole Moore. “Ben and Jen’s bodies seem to be leaning positively towards each other, indicating that they still share emotional intimacy.
“When Ben holds Jennifer, he stretches his arms around her with completely relaxed arms, showing that he is touching her very comfortably this way, squeezing her a little bit as if he wants to be as close as possible to her.
“Men and women who are not normally in a relationship embrace leave a little unconsciously a little space between the pelvic areas as a way to show that the embrace is friendly and not romantic.”
“A lot of couples are divorced and parents standing with parents standing with distance between their bodies as a way to maintain emotional distance. However, Ben and Jen's bodies seem to be actively leaning against each other, indicating that they still share emotional intimacy.”
Body language experts pointed out that despite Affleck acting as the kids were going on in front of them, he was completely faced with Garner.
“It's as if Ben's body just wants to focus entirely on Jennifer and can't get enough of her,” Moore explained.
Ben Affleck enjoys Jennifer Garner's family time, a tough turnaround from red carpet life
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are all smiling while outings for paintball. (x17)
The sleeves of Affleck and Garner jackets are touching in the video. Body language expert Blanca Cobb told Fox News Digital that their actions indicate “a clear signal of shared level of intimacy.”
“Jennifer looks up at Ben and pays attention to him before rearranging and turning his gaze forward,” she continued. “Ben, on the other hand, remains there and doesn't seem to want to lose the physical connection between them.
“Then he closes the distance and moves his left arm across her middle towards Jennifer, his hands resting just above her left hip.
However, Garner's body language was interpreted differently by body language experts. Clinical forensic psychologist Dr. John Hoover says that from the “13 Going to 30 Years” star's actions in the video, she appears to be uninterested in romantic interest in her ex-husband at this time.
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck June 2, 2018, Los Angeles. (stav/bauer-griffin/gc image)
“When Jennifer aims for the paintball gun, Ben steps into Jennifer and wraps his arms around her, but only responds from Jennifer to gain a stiff, rigid posture.
“Afterwards, Ben does a 'face-saving behavior' and his legs are still heading in her direction, smacking his arm while he aims with a paintball gun,” the clinical forensic psychologist added. “These behaviors that Ben demonstrated are similar to those that are attracted to and pursued by another individual, and this does not mean that she is not attracted to Ben.
Like what you're reading? For more entertainment news click here
“Alias” Starr and Affleck married in 2005. They announced their separation in 2015.
“After much thought and careful consideration, we made a difficult decision to divorce,” the couple said in a joint statement at the time. “We will advance our commitment to working together to collaborate with our children who want to respect privacy during these difficult times. This is our only comment on this private family issue. Thank you for understanding.”
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married between 2005 and 2015. (Getty Images)
However, Garner and Affleck were not finalised for another three years. Meanwhile, Affleck went to rehabilitation twice, and the two received marriage counseling.
Click here to sign up for our Entertainment Newsletter
Ben Affleck rekindled his romance with Jennifer Lopez after his divorce from Jennifer Garner. (Getty Images)
After his divorce from Garner, Affleck rekindled his relationship with Jennifer Lopez. The couple's marriage lasted about two years. Lopez and Affleck married in 2022 and were finalised in January 2025.
Garner has been romantically linked to John Miller, chairman of the Kali Group since 2018. The two took a break at some point, but since 2023 they have been getting stronger, People Magazine reported.
Affleck's body language shows that there is still a “very deep emotional” connection with his first wife, experts told Fox News Digital.
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck will take a walk in Los Angeles on February 27, 2019. (BG004/Bauer-Griffin/GC image)
“From the body language in this clip it looks as if there is still a romantic or very deep emotional connection between them, even if they are not physically acting. Ben has stronger emotions than Jen.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“Jennifer's body language here shows that while she feels intimate and comfortable with Ben, she may not feel as close to him as she feels with her,” she added. “The body language here conveys that Ben wants to be very intimate with Jennifer. She sometimes stays close to him, maintaining emotional and physical distance. Ben appears to start more intimate contact while Jennifer sometimes accepts it or at least not tolerate close contact.
Fox News Digital has requested representatives from Affleck and Garner for comment.
