Julia Roberts didn’t use an intimacy coordinator on After the Hunt: why she chose not to use one

Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield deliver a tension-filled exchange in Luca Guadagnino’s After The Hunt that leaves audiences unsettled long after the credits roll. Their characters orbit each other throughout the film, culminating in a fierce and complicated kissing scene that raises questions about consent, comfort on set, and the growing role of intimacy coordinators in modern filmmaking.

The scene — framed against the film’s larger discussion of alleged sexual misconduct — stirred conversation not only for its emotional intensity but because the two actors chose to proceed without an on-set intimacy coordinator. That decision, and the broader industry practices it touches, is what producers, trainers, and viewers are now examining as the movie reaches theaters.

On-screen chemistry and the disputed kiss that turned heads

The narrative centers on Alma Imhoff (Julia Roberts), a Yale professor, and Hank Gibson (Andrew Garfield), a colleague whose relationship with the academy and those around him becomes a central conflict after allegations emerge. Throughout the story the pair share a charged, unresolved dynamic that finally erupts in a close, passionate encounter late in the film. Viewed in the context of Alma’s marriage to Frederik Imhoff (Michael Stuhlbarg) and the film’s handling of sexual-assault themes, the kiss lands as raw, abrupt, and emotionally fraught.

• The moment is short but intense — filmed deliberately in few takes.
• Alma’s reaction shifts in real time during the encounter, making the scene difficult for some viewers to watch.
• The scene’s ambiguity is intentional, reinforcing the film’s broader themes about power and consent.

Why the actors declined an intimacy coordinator for this scene

Roberts told reporters that when the production offered the option of an intimacy coordinator, both she and Garfield chose not to use one. They relied instead on rehearsal, open dialogue with director Luca Guadagnino, and private conversations between the two performers to establish boundaries and mutual comfort. Guadagnino’s preference for fewer takes meant the shot was executed quickly after preparation — a single, focused performance rather than multiple repetitions.

Both performers indicated a clear, mutual agreement about what they were willing to do on screen, and the production supported their choice by giving them space to prepare and check in with one another before filming.

What an intimacy coordinator actually does on set

An intimacy coordinator’s role emerged more prominently in the wake of #MeToo and is now widely recognized as a safety and consent-focused position on productions. Trained coordinators work across film, TV, and theater to:

• Facilitate confidential conversations about boundaries and consent.
• Create choreography and staging for intimate moments to ensure physical safety.
• Provide risk assessments and suggest mitigation strategies when scenes involve nudity, simulated sex, or other vulnerable activity.
• Act as an independent advocate for performers when concerns arise.

Michela Carattini, a SAG-AFTRA–accredited trainer in intimate scenes, emphasizes that coordinators intervene in on-set power dynamics and offer a neutral space for negotiations between actors, directors, and producers.

How Australia’s guidelines and workplace law intersect with intimacy work

Industry guidance in Australia has increasingly formalized how intimacy should be managed. While using a coordinator is encouraged for intimate scenes, the specific legal requirements have varied as guidelines are rolled into broader workplace safety frameworks. With Screen Safe Australia integrating the National Intimacy Guidelines into Work, Health and Safety guidance, productions may face heightened liability if they fail to provide appropriate protections.

This shift means:

• Producers might be open to claims of negligence or breaches of duty of care if someone is harmed.
• Even when not mandatory, industry best practice now points toward offering coordinator resources for sensitive scenes.

When skipping an intimacy coordinator can be reasonable — and when it’s risky

Experts note there are circumstances in which a production may legitimately choose not to bring in an intimacy coordinator — for example, if everyone involved fully agrees, has the necessary expertise, and accepts steps to reduce risk. Trainers compare that decision to opting out of a stunt coordinator for a minor, low-risk action beat: it can be defensible when professional standards and safety are demonstrably met.

However, key caveats remain:

• All performers and the director must actively consent to the approach.
• There should be clear documentation of boundaries and agreed safety measures.
• Absence of formal expertise makes it harder to evaluate whether protections were sufficient.

The core purpose of an intimacy coordinator is to safeguard consent, agency, and safety — and without that neutral oversight, assessing those elements becomes more challenging.

Why a kissing scene can still require coordination

Not all intimate moments involve nudity or simulated sex, but they can still trigger psychological or physical risks. Coordinators and trainers urge production teams to ask whether even a closed-mouth kiss or a staged embrace could be traumatic or unsafe for any performer. Considerations include:

• Actors’ personal histories and potential trauma.
• Physical health concerns related to the exchange of bodily fluids.
• The director’s intended staging and whether it requires physical force, restraint, or surprising movement.

For some performers, a kiss may feel more invasive than other types of staged intimacy; for others, choreography and clear limits make it manageable without outside support. The decision should always be individualized.

Why offering a coordinator matters on films that probe sexual misconduct

When a movie’s subject matter touches on assault or complex consent issues, the stakes of intimate scenes increase. Making an intimacy coordinator available — even if not ultimately used — normalizes a safety-first approach and gives vulnerable cast members a clear avenue to voice concerns. As on-set practices continue to evolve, transparency and choice around intimacy support are becoming industry expectations rather than optional extras.

Release timing and edition note

After The Hunt opens in theaters on Friday, October 17. This article adapts reporting originally published for Refinery29’s Australian edition and reframes the conversation around performer safety and on-set practices for a broader audience.

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David Miller

David Miller is an entertainment expert with a passion for film, music, and series. With eight years in cultural criticism, he takes you behind the scenes of productions and studios. His energetic style guides you to the next big releases and trending sensations.