Ben Affleck Speaking Spanish in The Rip Is the Happiest He's Looked in Months

"What makes Ben Affleck really, genuinely happy? Letting his Masshole accent flow, whether he's in a Dunkin' or not. For a while, marrying women named Jennifer; for not enough time, tearing into Bill Maher for his Islamophobia. And now, in The Rip: getting to speak Spanish. So much Spanish! If you told me that Affleck signed on to produce and star in this project just to remind us that actually, he's bilingual, I'd believe you."

"But Affleck in particular has never really seemed like he's speaking Spanish to expand his portfolio. He's already directed a Best Picture film, he's already been Batman, he's already become an array of Internet memes and come out the other side. There are few things left for Affleck to do in this industry. So why not show off the language he learned when he was 13, living in Mexico and doing a children's TV show?"

Ben Affleck appears visibly happier speaking Spanish in The Rip, enjoying rolling his R's, gendering nouns, and using tildes. He learned Spanish at 13 while living in Mexico and doing a children's TV show. Many Hollywood actors use foreign-language ability as a status flex, often French, to distinguish themselves for global audiences. Affleck's career already includes directing a Best Picture film, playing Batman, and surviving internet notoriety, leaving fewer professional milestones to pursue. The Rip has a slow, challenging pace, but Affleck's Spanish scenes provide a personal treat and a distinctive, enjoyable element.

Read at Vulture