Matt Damon donned all black for the international premiere of “The Accountant 2,” the sequel to his pal Ben Affleck’s film. One individual declared they didn’t recognize him due to the slight change in his look.

Damon was one of several celebrities that visited the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival to see the global premiere of “The Accountant 2.” During his visit to the Paramount Theatre on March 8, 2025, one aspect of his appearance drew attention.

Damon, wearing a black short-sleeved button-down shirt, matching slacks, and sneakers, stood with his old pal Ben Affleck. Affleck went for a more traditional approach, layering a white jacket over a gray suit and white shirt. He finished his look with a tie, professional shoes, a short black beard, and well-groomed hair.

What stuck out most was Damon’s salt-and-pepper beard, which he wore to the event in Austin, Texas. After seeing photographs of the duo, one Instagram user remarked, “I TOTALLY didn’t recognize Matt!!!! 🤣”

Damon and Affleck also posed on the event’s red carpet, which elicited emotions from fans. Someone said, “Matt needs a shave…” A beard does not look good on him… Hope it’s just for a part he is playing [sic].” Unimpressed, someone else added, “Matt looks like he’s going through a lot.”

Another critic criticized both actors, stating, “The beards age them a lot!!” A user commented, “They urgently need to shave those beards… they are looking like old hipsters 😂😂😂😂.”

Another person said, “No to Matt Damon’s new look.” I sure hope it’s only for a movie character and not permanently. “Makes him look older,” while someone else remarked, “Matt looks like Santa. 😂.”

A user commented, “I don’t think I have ever seen Matt Damon with a beard, at least not of that size.” Some followers gave positive outlooks, such as “great looking both 🔥[sic],” while another commented, “Look at that glorious beard.”

In the film, which will be released on April 25, 2025, Affleck plays Christian Wolff, a forensic accountant. Wolff employs his bright intellect and unlawful ways to investigate the unsolved murder of a Treasury boss. According to a 2024 interview, Affleck and Damon are also expected to appear together in the Netflix murder thriller “RIP.”

Damon discussed their future parts in the 2025 film, which may explain why he and Affleck had beards. He said, “Well, we’re in the thick of it.” That’s why we have beards.”

His co-star quipped, “Yes, you can see everything you need to know right here.”

Damon co-wrote and co-starred in his best pal Affleck’s second film, “Good Will Hunting.” His 1997 film won him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

A February 2025 article also purported to provide further information about Damon’s bearded appearance. The tweet stated that the actor would be acting in Christopher Nolan’s film “The Odysseus,” with an X post depicting Damon sporting the same gray beard he had during the global premiere of “The Accountant 2.”

The actor donned Spartan attire and a beautiful helmet in the photo. The film is set to enter theaters on July 17, 2026.

Damon, 54, has worked in the entertainment world for more than three decades. In January 2024, he astonished many by changing his appearance. That year, he went to the Golden Globes with a head full of natural gray hair.

For the majority of his career, the celebrity has maintained his brunette hair, seldom changing his look. However, he has gradually transitioned from brunette to blonde, resulting in a silver fox-like appearance.

While some people were surprised by the makeover, many immediately praised his new appearance. Fans flooded Instagram’s comments section with praises. One individual commended him, stating, “Still good-looking, though [sic].”

Another participant agreed, “He still looked very handsome.” His gray hair also generated a stir on X, with one user writing, “Oh, Matt Damon looks good with the gray hair [sic].” A comment thread on Daily Mail supported this viewpoint, with other netizens praising the actor for his ageless appeal.

Damon was at the same table as Affleck and his now-ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez. The “Jason Bourne” star was joined by his wife, Luciana Barroso. One admirer remarked on a photograph of the quartet, saying, “Matt has aged but still looks good and is so talented.”

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. We love him with and without beard. Let us know what you think in the comment section!