Hollywood is full of secrets, but few stars have kept their private lives as tightly under wraps as Anna Kendrick. For nearly a decade, the Pitch Perfect icon and Oscar nominee managed something almost impossible in the age of TMZ: a long-term relationship that stayed mostly in the shadows. We’re talking about her history with British cinematographer Ben Richardson.
If you look back at the photos, they look like any other low-key indie couple. Coffee runs in New York. Quiet walks in Los Angeles. But in 2026, looking back at the timeline, the story of Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson is far more complex than the tabloid headlines ever suggested. It wasn't just a "sweet situation," as she once put it. It was a partnership that spanned some of her biggest career milestones and, according to recent vulnerable revelations, some of her darkest personal moments.
The Drinking Buddies Meet-Cute
The spark didn't happen on a red carpet. It happened on a gritty, indie film set in 2013. Richardson was the cinematographer for Drinking Buddies, a movie famous for its heavy improvisation and naturalistic feel. Kendrick was starring.
They didn't start dating immediately. Honestly, she was still coming off her high-profile split from director Edgar Wright at the time. But by 2014, the rumors started swirling. They were spotted together frequently, yet Kendrick—ever the master of the "no comment"—kept the details to herself.
Why the Pairing Worked (At First)
Richardson wasn't an A-list actor looking for a "showmance." He was a behind-the-scenes powerhouse. This guy shot Beasts of the Southern Wild and eventually Mare of Easttown. He had the artistic street cred Kendrick respected.
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For years, they were the "stable" couple. They worked together again on projects like Happy Christmas and Table 19. To the outside world, it looked like a perfect match of talent and privacy.
The Seven-Year Timeline and the Breaking Point
The timeline of Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson is roughly 2014 to late 2020. That's a massive chunk of time in anyone's life, let alone under the pressure of Hollywood fame.
While they never officially announced a breakup, the world noticed when they stopped being photographed together. By the time 2021 rolled around, Kendrick had quietly moved on to a relationship with Bill Hader. But it was only years later, on podcasts like Armchair Expert and Call Her Daddy, that the public finally got a glimpse into what those final years were really like.
The Revelation of Emotional Abuse
Kendrick shocked fans when she opened up about a "toxic" and "emotionally abusive" relationship that lasted seven years. While she never explicitly named Ben Richardson, the math is hard to ignore. She described a partner who shifted "overnight," becoming someone she didn't recognize.
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The details she shared were heartbreaking:
- Creating embryos with a partner while the relationship was crumbling.
- The "terror" of realizing the person she loved deeply for six years suddenly seemed to hate her.
- Blaming herself and seeking intensive therapy to "fix" her own perceived "craziness."
It’s a heavy reality that flips the script on the "quiet, happy couple" narrative. It reminds us that what we see on Instagram or in paparazzi shots is rarely the whole truth.
Where They Are Now in 2026
Life has moved on. Ben Richardson continues to be one of the most sought-after cinematographers in the industry, continuing his work on high-profile Taylor Sheridan projects like Yellowstone and 1883. He has remained entirely silent on his personal history with Kendrick.
Kendrick, on the other hand, has undergone a massive personal transformation. She has pivoted into directing—her debut Woman of the Hour received critical acclaim—and she speaks openly about the importance of therapy and boundaries.
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Key Takeaways from Their History
If there's a lesson in the saga of Anna Kendrick and Ben Richardson, it’s about the complexity of long-term trauma. Kendrick has been very clear that her experience with her ex (whoever he may be) didn't follow a "traditional" pattern of abuse. It was subtle. It was psychological. It was confusing.
Her willingness to discuss it has turned her into an accidental advocate for victims of emotional coercion. She’s moved past the "sad breakup" trope and into a space of genuine self-advocacy.
Understanding the Signs
If you or someone you know is in a situation that feels "off," even if it doesn't look like the abuse you see in movies, listen to that gut feeling. Kendrick’s story proves that even the most successful, seemingly "strong" people can find themselves lost in a toxic dynamic.
Next Steps for Support:
- Acknowledge the "Shift": If a partner’s personality changes abruptly, it’s not your job to "fix" them.
- Seek Neutral Feedback: Talk to a therapist or a trusted friend who isn't involved in the relationship.
- Trust the Timeline: Recovery from a seven-year relationship doesn't happen in seven months. Give yourself grace.
The story of Kendrick and Richardson is a reminder that the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself. Everything else—the movies, the fame, the red carpets—is just background noise.