Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have defied the negative connotations often associated with Hollywood marriages. Since tying the knot in 2012, they’ve become the quintessential modern Hollywood power couple.
Their playful public banter, unwavering support for each other, and undeniable charisma have made them instant fan favorites.
Yet beyond the wit, glamour, and seemingly inseparable dynamic, some can’t help but wonder: Who’s really in charge in this picture-perfect marriage?
Blake Lively Allegedly Had ‘Hypnotic Effect’ Over Ryan Reynolds
Body language expert Judi James claimed Lively had a “hypnotic effect” over Reynolds after seeing their red carpet outing for the screening of Another Simple Favor in New York City on Sunday, April 27.
The assumption was based on the 37-year-old actress’ gesture at the event, moving her hand toward someone not seen on the camera and making her husband confused.
In a video on X, the Deadpool & Wolverine star’s eyes could be seen widening in a puzzled expression.
She then patted him on the back as Reynolds left the red carpet.
“Blake's directive hand signals to Ryan on the red carpet show, not only her previously-illustrated fondness for directing the action out on the red carpet but also Ryan's loyal and obedient-looking responses that create the look of sticking his nose straight into a human hand-propellor,” James told the Daily Mail.
She continued that It Ends with Us star, who has been embroiled in a legal battle against former co-star Justin Baldoni, is as if winding Reynolds up like clockwork or counting down to launch him into action—right before she gave him the final push with her other hand as he took off.
“His eyes almost hint at some hypnotic effect although Ryan is known for his ironic sense of humor so the facial expression could just be performed to get a laugh here,” she added.
Leadership Behind the Scenes
As a father and a husband, many believe Reynolds is the frontman of the family. However, Lively is said to play a major role behind the scenes in their small circle.
She gets credits for influencing some of the 48-year-old actor’s projects, like revising the Deadpool & Wolverine script.
During the threequel’s production, Lively changed the film’s climax by suggesting a more powerful ending.
Originally, Deadpool and Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) fate was immediately revealed after destroying the Time Ripper.
However, in the new version, the one ended up on the big screen, their survival was not shown yet, leaving their fate unknown as Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) spits bile and venom towards B-15 (Wunmi Mosaku).
For a more dramatic effect, the two heroes walk back out alive to stop Paradox while Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” plays in the background.
"And credit where credit is due. It used to be that there was no suspense, that the power room blew up, and our heroes had survived. And it was Blake Lively who said to us, 'You know, I've been with you this whole movie. I want to sit in the fear that they're lost. Let me be in that place of suspense so the triumph of their survival is more emotional and visceral,'" director Shawn Levy said.
"That was a Blake note and it really opened up a new way of thinking about this part of the movie and it's why we did this reshoot… and, here, the payoff is so much more satisfying."
An Equal Partnership
Despite the assumption that Lively seems to be in charge of the relationship, they actually play the same role in their household.
The couple has said time and over again the importance of partnership and equality.
“We don’t split up. I shoot movies, and my wife shoots movies, and we go travel all over the place, and we just all go together,” he told Access Hollywood in 2020. “I think that’s been the best part of it is that we really don’t spend a lot of time apart. I get to spend a lot of time with my girls.”
However, Reynolds admitted that Lively “runs the show” in his appearance on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman in 2022.
“I would kind of really phone things in if it wasn’t for her.”
While no one truly knows who leads Lively and Reynolds’ marriage—except for the two of them—their decision to keep their relationship largely private makes one thing clear: their partnership is grounded in friendship, humor, and strong family ties, as evidenced by their playful public jabs at each other.
As Reynolds puts it, “We were buddies for a long time, which I think is the best way to have a relationship, to start as friends.”