Andrew Garfield Calls Costar and Girlfriend Monica Barbaro ‘Truly Incredible’ in Rare Comments

Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro have been at the centre of romantic speculation since February 2025, and they are now preparing to appear together on screen in the much-anticipated film, *Artificial*. As publicity ramps up for their newest project, Garfield has taken the opportunity to speak about his partner’s impressive skills as an actress.

In a recent feature published by *Who What Wear* on 9 September, Garfield, who is 43, offered generous acclaim for Barbaro’s work, emphasising her exceptional talent. “I think Monica is a supremely talented actor,” he remarked, singling out her portrayal of Joan Baez in the biopic *A Complete Unknown* as a standout performance. He described her transformation for the role as “extraordinary and deeply mysterious”, underscoring the high regard in which he holds her abilities.

Barbaro, who is now 36 and rose to fame following her Oscar-nominated role as Baez, had been quietly spending time with Garfield leading up to their relationship becoming public. The couple was first linked when they were seen together at a play in London. Since then, they have been spotted at various public events but have intentionally kept their personal life largely private.

The film *Artificial*, slated for release later this year, centres around the real-life events involving OpenAI, the tech company known for its advancements in artificial intelligence. Garfield plays the role of Sam Altman, the company’s CEO, while Barbaro takes on the character of Mira Murati, who once held the position of chief technology officer. The narrative unfolds during a tumultuous period in November 2023, when Altman was unexpectedly dismissed by the board and replaced by Murati before being reinstated days later.

Garfield’s comments come amidst his well-known reluctance to discuss personal matters in public forums. During an interview with *Esquire UK* on 25 August, he stated, “I’ll say it on the record: it’s not something I will ever talk about.” Furthermore, he indicated that he might only be comfortable enough to discuss his family life later on, should he decide to marry and have children. This sentiment was similarly conveyed in a previous interview with *Esquire* where he firmly stated, “I have never, and I won’t ever, speak about or confirm or deny anything about my personal life with anyone, ever.”

Alongside Garfield and Barbaro, *Artificial* features a cast that includes Ike Barinholtz, who portrays Elon Musk—one of the co-founders of OpenAI—as well as actors Cooper Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Rylance, and Yura Borisov. Director Luca Guadagnino, known for his acclaimed work in films like *Call Me by Your Name*, leads the project, while the screenplay is penned by writer Simon Rich, celebrated for his contributions to *Saturday Night Live* and the comedy *An American Pickle*.

Barbaro has also expressed admiration for Garfield’s work ethic and talent. In a separate interview with *InStyle* published on 5 August, she referred to Garfield as “one of the best actors of our generation,” praising the things she learned from him throughout the course of their collaboration. She mentioned that working alongside him pushed her to elevate her performance. “Oh s—, I really have to step up my game,” she recalled, acknowledging the motivation she felt to be a worthy scene partner.

*Artificial* is set to make its debut at the New York Film Festival on 5 October, with a limited theatrical release scheduled for 25 December, followed by a wider release in January. Prior to this release, Garfield’s new film, *The Uprising*, is due to hit cinemas on 10 September.

As both Garfield and Barbaro prepare for their film’s launch, their relationship remains predominantly under wraps, hinting at a couple that values privacy amidst rising public interest. With their respective careers on an upward trajectory, the upcoming film is likely to shine a spotlight on both their personal and professional lives as they embark on this new chapter together.