Actor and director Casey Affleck opened up about his career trajectory, high-profile relationships, and self-described status as a Hollywood outsider during a masterclass appearance at the Zurich Film Festival on September 28, 2026. Speaking with festival CEO Christian Jungen, Affleck discussed everything from his early days in Massachusetts to his chaotic Academy Award win and his latest directorial feature, Company.
Reflecting on Childhood Connections and Matt Damon
During the conversation, Affleck addressed his long-standing friendship and early creative roots alongside his brother Ben Affleck and childhood friend Matt Damon. Growing up in a public school district in Massachusetts, the trio shared a foundational theater instructor who shaped their early love for the craft.
Affleck humorously played down any fierce adult rivalries while sharing a memory of Damon from their youth. “Matt was always a bit of a showoff,” Affleck remarked. “He was outgoing and would do talent shows and stuff. There was no doubt where he was headed, but the rest of us were trying to figure it out.”
Examining their distinct career paths, Affleck noted that Damon possesses a rare matinee idol appeal combined with immense talent, while Ben leaned naturally into leading-man roles early on. Despite their differing paths in the industry, Affleck expressed deep admiration for their work, highlighting Damon’s performance in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Embracing the Hollywood Outsider Label
The conversation also revisited a past profile in Variety that characterized Affleck as a Hollywood outsider. Initially, the designation frustrated the actor, who felt that the public boxes performers into narrow categories regardless of their achievements.
However, Affleck experienced a liberating epiphany that changed his perspective. “I saw that and I thought, ‘Man, I’ll forever be thought of as an outsider, no matter what I do,’” he explained. Realizing that public perceptions are difficult to alter, Affleck decided to fully embrace the label.
“I don’t want to be an insider. I love being an outsider. I would much rather be an outsider in Hollywood than be an insider in Hollywood. I don’t think it’s a great culture. I don’t love the movies that are made by Hollywood,” he added.
An Anecdote About Christopher Nolan and Tenet
Despite his outsider perspective, Affleck has collaborated with top-tier commercial filmmakers, including Christopher Nolan on Interstellar and Oppenheimer. During the masterclass, Affleck shared an amusing anecdote about calling Nolan for advice while driving home from school with his son.
The pair had been debating a plot point in Tenet and decided to call Nolan directly to settle the disagreement. Affleck admitted that the inquiry was something they could have easily looked up online. Once Nolan explained the detail, Affleck felt thoroughly embarrassed by how obvious the answer was. “That was it. I haven’t called him again, and he hasn’t called me,” he laughed.
Affleck praised Nolan’s commitment to making projects that genuinely interest him rather than catering strictly to commercial expectations, noting that he aspires to maintain a similar creative freedom.
A ‘Mildly Traumatic’ Oscar Night
Reflecting on his Academy Award win for Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea, Affleck described the experience as a blur and “mildly traumatic.” Expecting Denzel Washington to take home the trophy for Fences, Affleck had prepared no acceptance speech.
After stumbling through his remarks on stage, he realized he had forgotten to thank key figures, including Lonergan and his children. Walking off the stage in a state of disorientation, Affleck found unexpected comfort in the wings when Leonardo DiCaprio gave him a reassuring laugh and a big hug.
Directing Company and Working Family
Affleck’s latest directorial effort, Company, is a 1975-set winter mystery featuring an ensemble cast that includes Nick Nolte, Ben Mendelsohn, Emily Alyn Lind, Sydney Chandler, and Affleck’s own sons, Atticus and Indiana.
Although his parents passed away earlier this year before they could view the completed film, Affleck dedicated the project to them. Bringing an unfinished cut of the film to the festival circuit, Affleck noted that he values using audience feedback during screenings to continue refining the project before its official release.
