The Toronto International Film Festival came at the right time for Jennifer Lopez.
Days after the 55-year-old actress made her first public appearance since filing for divorce from Ben Affleck at the film’s premiere Unstoppable, a source tells PEOPLE that she “was happy to be back in the spotlight for work.”
“She’s been so focused on her personal life,” says the source. “The film festival really uplifted her. She was excited to be able to focus on work again.”
Lopez serves as a producer on the film and plays Judy, the mother of real-life wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg and won a national championship in 2011 while competing at Arizona State University.
Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of ‘Unstoppable’ at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival.
Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez Unstoppable Earned a standing ovation in Toronto and praised subject Anthony Robles: ‘This team made it’
The multi-hyphenate dazzled on the red carpet on Friday, September 6, in a sexy floor-length silver Tamara Ralph gown paired with a metallic Judith Leiber clutch, Dolce and Gabbana heels, and Hassanzadeh jewelry.
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Although Affleck, 52, and his longtime friend and co-founder of the Artists Equity production company Matt Damon were also producers, Affleck did not attend the premiere.
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(L-R) Bobby Cannavale, Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle and Matt Damon at the premiere of ‘Unstoppable’ during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Monica Schipper/Getty
Jennifer Lopez says bold is silver Unstoppable The premiere of the dress almost didn’t happen (exclusive)
A source tells PEOPLE that Lopez is “very close with Matt [Damon],” who was present at the premiere, and “enjoyed hanging out with him.”
“She seems a lot happier than she was a few weeks ago. She’s continuing to look for a new home for herself and the kids,” says the source. – He takes his time.
On the day of the event, Affleck was spotted out and about in LA wearing a suit and sunglasses outside the building, seemingly on his way to work. Later in the day, he spent time with his two children, Samuel (12) and Seraphina (15). He shares two children, apart from his 18-year-old daughter Violet, with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
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Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles and Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles in ‘Unstoppable’.
Amazon MGM Studios
While speaking with PEOPLE the day after the premiere, Lopez shared that her latest film role was “very cathartic.”
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“Women who are moms get into relationships, and you struggle with them and find yourself in a dynamic that’s not healthy, but you care about the person, you love them,” she said. “It’s that complicated dynamic of life that I understand very well.”
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Source: HIS Education