Ben Affleck Says 'The Way Back' Role Was 'Cathartic'

Ben Affleck heads back to his car after running some errands in Santa Monica, Calif., on Monday (March 2).

The 47-year-old actor has been doing a ton of press for his new movie, The Way Back, and recently opened up to People about connecting with the role on a deeper level.

“There are some things about this character I really could connect to — being a recovering alcoholic, going through family strife, a divorce,” Ben shared.

He added, “You try to bring your own life experience to the parts that you can, use your imagination on the other parts.”

He also called making the film a “cathartic” experience.

“The potential for a movie like this is to really inspire somebody, to move somebody,” Ben adds. “Sometimes you do movies, you go, ‘Okay, it’s a thriller. They’re thrilled. And then they go home and they’ve forgotten about it.’ My goal with this was to make something that would feel enduring and lasting.”

The Way Back is out on Friday, March 6.