Matt Damon wore an all-black outfit while attending the world premiere of “The Accountant 2,” the second installment of his friend Ben Affleck’s movie. His appearance was slightly different, prompting one person to claim they didn’t recognize him.

Damon was among the celebrities who attended the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival to watch the world premiere of “The Accountant 2.” During his visit to the Paramount Theatre on March 8, 2025, one particular detail about his look caught people’s attention.

Dressed in a black short-sleeved button-down shirt, matching pants, and sneakers Damon posed alongside his longtime friend, Ben Affleck. Affleck opted for a more formal look, wearing a white jacket over a gray suit and white shirt. He completed his ensemble with a tie, formal shoes, a short black beard, and neatly styled hair.

However, what stood out most was Damon’s salt-and-pepper beard, which he sported at the event in Austin, Texas. After seeing images of the pair, one Instagram user commented, “I TOTALLY didn’t recognize Matt !!!! 🤣”

Damon and Affleck also posed together on the event’s red carpet, sparking reactions from fans. One person complained, “Matt needs a shave..a beard does not look good on him..hope it’s just for a part he is playing. [sic]” Someone unimpressed wrote, “Matt looks like he’s going through a lot 😂.”

Another critic judged both actors claiming, “The beards age them a lot!!” One viewer thought, “They need urgently to shave those beards…. they are looking like old hipsters 😂😂😂😂.”

Another added, “No to Matt Damon’s new look. Sure hope it is for a movie character and not forever. Makes him look older,” while someone else joked, “Matt looks like Santa 😂.”

A netizen noted, “I don’t think I have ever seen Matt Damon with a beard, at least not of that size.” Sharing positive outlooks, one fan said, “great looking both 🔥[sic],” while another added, “Look at that glorious beard.”

In the movie set for release on April 25, 2025, Affleck portrays Christian Wolff, a forensic accountant. Wolff uses his brilliant mind and illegal methods to solve the unsolved murder of a Treasury chief. According to a 2024 interview, Affleck and Damon are also set to star alongside each other in the Netflix crime thriller, “RIP.”

Speaking about their upcoming roles in the 2025 film, Damon provided insight into the movie which might explain why both he and Affleck were sporting beards. He said, “Well, we’re in the middle of it. That’s why we’re bearded.”

His co-star joked, “Yes, everything you need to know you can see right here.” “Good Will Hunting” is the 1997 film that Damon co-wrote and co-starred with his best friend Affleck. The movie earned him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

A February 2025 post also appeared to offer more clarity regarding Damon’s bearded look. The post revealed that the actor would be starring in Christopher Nolan’s movie, “The Odysseus.”

An X post showed Damon with a gray beard, dressed in Spartan clothing, and wearing a majestic helmet. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 17, 2026.

Damon, 54, has been in the entertainment industry for over three decades, and in January 2024, he surprised many when he appeared to have changed his look. That year, he attended the Golden Globes with a head full of natural gray hair.

For most of his career, the star has kept his brunette locks intact, rarely altering his style. However, he has gradually transitioned from brunette to blonde and now appears to be embracing a silver fox look.

While some people were caught off guard by the change, many quickly praised his new appearance. On Instagram, fans flooded the comments with compliments. One person praised him, saying, “Still good looking tho [sic].”

Echoing the sentiment, another person stated, “He still looked very handsome.” His gray hair also created a buzz on X, where one user wrote, “oh matt damon looks good with the gray hair [sic].” A discussion thread on Daily Mail reinforced this view, as several netizens praised the actor for his timeless appeal.

During the event, Damon shared a table with Affleck and his now ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez. The “Jason Bourne” star was accompanied by his wife, Luciana Barroso. Seeing an image of the quartet, one fan commented, “Matt has aged but still looks good and is so talented.”

Someone else added, “Ben must have been happy that they shared their table with their supportive wives!”

This isn’t the first time Damon’s appearance has become a talking point. In 2023, he faced online criticism when some noticed he had gained weight.

In a February 2023 post, one person remarked, “Matt Damon put on some weight,” while others questioned his change in physique. The actor, however, remained true to himself and focused on maintaining his fitness.

By September of that year, when he was spotted shirtless on a Miami beach, Damon’s body was back in shape, showing off six-pack abs. He confidently strolled along the coast, enjoying a day out with his wife and putting to rest any concerns about his fitness.

Matt Damon and Barroso have been happily married since 2005 and share a blended family. The couple frequently attends high-profile events together, including the Los Angeles premiere of the movie “Air” in March 2023.