Reese Witherspoon has turned the camera on her longtime friend Jennifer Garner to reveal what she calls the actress’s hidden “dark side” in a playful Instagram video that has fans laughing.
At a Glance
- Reese Witherspoon posted a comedic Instagram video joking about Jennifer Garner’s supposed “dark side”
- The video shows Witherspoon pretending to gossip about Garner before revealing the actress was on the phone the whole time
- Garner previously told Allure in 2023 that being labeled “nice” makes it difficult to set personal boundaries
- The friends are working together on season 2 of “The Last Thing He Told Me,” streaming Feb. 20 on Apple TV+
- Why it matters: The video showcases the genuine friendship between two of Hollywood’s most successful actresses and producers
The lighthearted moment captures the genuine friendship between two of Hollywood’s most successful actresses and producers, just weeks before their latest collaboration hits streaming platforms.
The Setup
On Sunday, Jan. 18, Witherspoon, 49, shared a funny video on Instagram that begins with her sitting in a living room chair. She asks someone off-camera, “You’re not recording, right?” When they reply “No,” she launches into what appears to be behind-the-scenes gossip about her pal.
“Okay. Jen Garner is just so hard to work with,” Witherspoon says, setting up the joke.
The camera then pans to reveal Garner, 53, sitting nearby making a phone call to Witherspoon.
The Punchline
Witherspoon returns to the camera to deliver her comedic assessment of Garner’s reputation versus reality.
“People think of her as this nice lady from West Virginia and she, like, takes care of kids that are underserved, she’s got three kids, she makes her own Pop-Tarts – but she’s got a dark side,” she jokes. “I don’t know what it is, but she has it.”
The video cuts again to show Garner trying to reach Witherspoon by phone. “She’s actually two minutes late for this phone call,” Witherspoon says. “Like my time doesn’t matter.”
The Reveal
The comedy reaches its peak when someone behind the camera informs Witherspoon that Garner just tried to call her twice.
“Oh!” Witherspoon exclaims, laughing. “She tried me twice!” She checks her phone while processing the realization.
Garner gets the last word in the exchange. “Boss lady never misses a call,” she says from her end of the phone.
Social Media Love
Witherspoon captioned the post with a laughing emoji and the message “I love you, @jennifer.garner.”
Garner responded in kind with her typical humor: “A thousand pardons for keeping you waiting, Queen!”
The exchange demonstrates the comfortable rapport between the two actresses, who have been friends for years while building their respective entertainment empires.
The ‘Nice’ Problem
The video plays on Garner’s widely recognized reputation for kindness, which she addressed in a 2023 interview with Allure. The actress opened up about how being perceived as perpetually “nice” creates unexpected challenges.
“The problem with, ‘Oh, she’s so nice’ is that when I have any kind of boundary, people think of it as much more than it actually is,” she told the outlet. “The problem is being recognized on a day where I’m not so nice or when I have blackness in my soul.”
Garner admitted that some days she “just can’t do it” and must let the “nice” mask slip. “I scowl at people before they can walk up to me. I’m not perfect, and I don’t think I’m rude, but I’m not good at being fake. I’m an open book of a person,” she said.
Professional Partnership
The timing of their social media banter is perfect, as the two are currently working together on season 2 of “The Last Thing He Told Me.” The series streams on Apple TV+ starting Feb. 20.
Based on the Laura Dave novels, the show is produced by Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine, bringing their friendship into professional collaboration once again.
Hollywood Friendship Goals
Their playful interaction provides a refreshing glimpse into authentic celebrity friendships. Unlike manufactured Hollywood relationships, Witherspoon and Garner’s comfort with teasing each other publicly suggests a genuine bond built over years of mutual respect and shared experiences in the entertainment industry.
Both actresses have successfully transitioned from romantic comedy staples to powerhouse producers, with Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine and Garner’s various production ventures cementing their influence beyond acting.
Key Takeaways:
- Reese Witherspoon’s Instagram video perfectly captures her friendship with Jennifer Garner through good-natured teasing
- Garner’s previous comments about struggling with her “nice” reputation add context to the joke
- The actresses are collaborating on “The Last Thing He Told Me” season 2, premiering Feb. 20
- Their social media exchange showcases authentic Hollywood friendships that transcend professional partnerships
The video serves as both entertainment for fans and a reminder that even Hollywood’s most successful stars enjoy poking fun at each other’s public personas when the cameras are rolling.
