‘Animals’ Star Ben Affleck (54) Hangs Up His Bedroom Boots: “Sex Is a Lot of Work” and He’s Too Tired for It

Ben Affleck has never been shy about speaking his mind, and a recent subway ride with Kareem Rahma proved it again. The Oscar winner joined the host of ‘SubwayTakes’ for a loose, funny conversation that ranged from movie promotion to his famous paparazzi memes. In the middle of it all, a surprisingly frank remark about his sex life became the moment people can’t stop discussing.

The appearance was timed to promote his new Netflix film ‘Animals’, which he directed, co-wrote and stars in. It’s part of a busy press run, and the interview format suited him well.

The episode, released on October 13 as ‘SubwayTakes Uncut’, followed Rahma’s usual style of asking a guest for their takes on random topics while riding the New York subway. ‘SubwayTakes’ is the first creator-led show backed by YouTube to earn an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series. Rahma has long said Affleck was his dream guest, and Affleck responded by calling it his favorite show he has ever done.

Their conversation touched on promoting movies, being called Matt Damon all the time and the viral photos of Affleck smoking and carrying piles of Dunkin’. He joked that people should never be photographed eating or smoking, and he said he no longer minds the memes.

Late in the episode, the talk shifted to a book Affleck felt young people should read, ‘Sex for Dummies’. Rahma suggested that younger generations are having less sex than before, and Affleck responded that he’s pretty old and had his share in his day.

When Rahma asked whether that meant he wasn’t having sex at all anymore, Affleck answered plainly that it’s SubwayTakes where he admitted “now I’m tired.” He then added that sex is a lot of work, especially if you want to do it well. The exchange stayed playful, but the honesty caught viewers off guard.

Reaction online was quick, with some people joking about the idea of Affleck being too tired and others simply amused by his candor. One viewer questioned the explanation outright, while others treated it as a very relatable bit of dad humor.

It’s also worth noting that Affleck was clearly joking around. The remark came in the middle of a comedic conversation about a self-help book, and the tone was lighthearted rather than confessional. Even so, it quickly became the headline.

The comment arrives as Affleck says dating isn’t a priority. The 54-year-old finalized his divorce from Jennifer Lopez in 2025 after she filed on their second wedding anniversary, and he has said he is open to romance but isn’t chasing anything. He has described being single as good and happy.

His kids with Jennifer Garner, Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14, are reportedly not putting much stock in his romantic advice. He has also said his family and work come first, which lines up with his current schedule.

Some reports have gone further. A source told Closer that Affleck is more cautious about meeting new people after his marriages to Garner and Lopez, no longer wants to get into superficial flings and is looking for a longer relationship that lasts beyond the early stage of infatuation. The source also said he is trying to be a better person, which includes being careful about who he dates.

None of that was discussed during the ‘SubwayTakes’ interview, and Affleck himself did not address any reported dating plans there. As with most celebrity love-life reports, it’s best to treat the claims with caution. Page Six has also reported that Garner thinks a break from dating could be healthy for him, which is another unconfirmed claim.

Beyond the headlines, Affleck has plenty to talk about professionally. ‘Animals’ arrived on Netflix on October 9 and stars Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson alongside him. Rahma noted during the episode that the film is about the performative self, and the two discussed how it’s okay to be performative.

The interview also showed a more relaxed side of the actor, who joked about being boring and praised fellow actor Austin Butler. That easygoing energy is part of why the clip has traveled so far.

Ultimately, the confession works because it’s human. In a world where celebrity interviews can feel rehearsed, a blunt line about being tired stands out. Affleck seems comfortable making fun of himself, and fans appreciate that.

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