Social media users were left stunned by the visual similarities between Ben Affleck and convicted murderer Scott Peterson.
The disturbing comparison between inmate Peterson and actor Affleck began causing a frenzy online following the release of American Murder: Laci Peterson last week.
The Netflix documentary series debuted on the Top 10 list of most-watched TV shows, and Peacock launched its own show about the case, which included clips of Peterson before and after his pregnant wife disappeared.
After her body washed up in San Francisco Bay in 2003, her husband Peterson, now 51, was arrested and sentenced to death for her murder.
Aside from their obvious physical similarities, several Reddit and X-rated users pointed out the fact that Affleck’s character in the 2014 film Gone Girl is also very similar to the true crime story of Peterson’s involvement in his wife’s murder.
Social media users have compared Ben Affleck’s (pictured) physical appearance to that of Scott Peterson, who is serving a life sentence for murder.
Scott Peterson (pictured) participated in his first interview in more than 20 years on the Peacock documentary series, Face to Face with Scott Peterson
Peterson rose to infamy after the disappearance of his pregnant wife Laci on Christmas Eve 2002.
The couple had been college sweethearts and had a perfect marriage, according to those who knew the couple.
Scott was eerily calm during press conferences about his wife’s disappearance, and was arrested after the bodies of Laci and their unborn son, Conner, were identified in April 2003.
He was sentenced to death for murder but was given a life sentence without parole in 2021 following a retrial.
Gone Girl was based on the 2012 novel of the same name, which author Gillian Flynn confirmed was not entirely based on the Peterson case during an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
“I didn’t want to do anything in particular. You could mention Scott and Laci Peterson, they were definitely a very good-looking couple,” Flynn said.
Ben Affleck stands next to the missing poster of his fictional wife in the film Gone Girl
Scott Peterson stands next to a poster showing his pregnant wife in 2003
“You don’t usually see incredibly ugly people disappear, and it becomes a sensation.”
Even though Peterson’s case was not the official inspiration for Gone Girl, several Reddit users still believe that Affleck was cast because of his physical similarities to the Peterson killer.
‘The novel was inspired by the Laci Peterson case, but it’s not even close to being a fictional account,’ said one Reddit user. wrote in 2020.
Others pointed out the similarities between the film and the entire case, including its media circus.
“In both cases, a press conference was held and families held vigils,” wrote another Reddit user.
‘Scott and Nick confronted us with questions about whether he was a suspect, although in real life, Scott stormed off rather than answer.’
Another similarity that Reddit users didn’t miss was the romances Peterson and Affleck’s characters began before their wives disappeared.
Affleck’s character (left) being interviewed by detectives in Gone Girl
Scott Peterson being interviewed by detectives after his wife’s disappearance in 2002
Scott Peterson was highly publicized in the months before and after Laci and her unborn child were found dead.
Several Reddit users compared their looks after watching the documentary, with one person claiming that Ben Affleck was cast in Gone Girl because of his looks.
Several X-rated users have insisted that Affleck should play Peterson in a biopic, following the debut of the Netflix documentary.
“It’s unbelievable how much Scott Peterson and Ben Affleck look alike. I know he did Gone Girl, but if they ever make a movie about Laci Peterson, Ben has to play Scott,” she said. tweeted an X user.
Other user X wrote:’Was Ben Affleck in a Lifetime movie about Scott Peterson?’
“I’m watching the new Laci Peterson documentary on Netflix and it’s amazing how much Ben Affleck’s character in Gone Girl was inspired by Scott Peterson. Overall, it’s a 10/10.” wrote a Twitter user.
Laci Peterson and her murderous husband Scott pictured in happier times
Ben Affleck as Nick and Rosamund Pike as Amy in Gone Girl
X-users were shocked by the similarities in physical appearance and insisted that Ben Affleck play Scott Peterson in a biopic.