Why Jake Gyllenhaal called filming a sex scene with Jennifer Aniston ‘torture’

We all know by now that everything we see on our TV screens is usually not as it seems, whether it be dramatic feuds on a reality show or a romance scene in a movie. There’s a degree of acting when it comes to any kind of production, and when one is starring in a film, the actor has to transform themselves into the character they’re playing.

Some of the most seasoned actors, such as Friends alum Jennifer Aniston and The Guilty‘s Jake Gyllenhaal, have had awkward moments on set trying to make something feel real that totally is not at all. Gyllenhaal spoke out on one of those experiences while being interviewed on The Howard Stern Show, admitting how difficult filming a sex scene was.

Back in 2002, Gyllenhaal appeared in the film The Good Girl, directed by Miguel Arteta and written by Mike White. The movie follows the character Justine (Jennifer Aniston), a cashier in an unhappy marriage who begins a relationship with one of her co-workers, Holden (Gyllenhaal).

Jake Gyllenhaal had a crush on Jennifer Aniston

As reported by People in late 2021, Gyllenhaal recalled how hard shooting their intimate scene was, admitting having a crush on Aniston didn’t make it any easier. Being able to laugh about the experience now, the actor said:

"“Oh yeah, it was torture, yes it was. But it was also not torture. I mean, come on, it was like a mix of both.”"

He continued explaining how awkward the nature of sex scenes are:

"“Weirdly, love scenes are awkward, because there are maybe 30, 50 people watching it? That doesn’t turn me on. It’s oddly mechanical. And also it’s a dance, you’re choreographing for a camera. You can get in it but it’s like a fight scene, you have to choreograph those scenes.”"

Check out part of Gyllenhaal’s interview from Oct. 2021 below.

In 2016, Gyllenhaal opened up about his feelings for Aniston to People, admitting it was an ongoing thing. “I will say, I had a crush on her for years. And working with her was not easy,” he stated.

As any fan of Jennifer Aniston would agree that it’s probably not hard to form a crush on the actress! The Emmy Award winner has been acting since the 1990s and is certainly a household name, stealing hearts in every role she plays!