Hollywood golden couple Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky may have dazzled fans with their rare red carpet appearance this week—but insiders say all is not as perfect as it looks.
The longtime pair, who will celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary this Boxing Day, appeared arm-in-arm at the premiere of Chris’s new documentary A Road to Remember near their Gold Coast home. It was their first public outing together in months, following a wave of speculation that their marriage has hit a rough patch.
Rumors began swirling earlier this year when Chris, 42, was spotted on the beach without his wedding band, sparking whispers of a possible split. Sources close to the couple say the actor’s relentless filming schedule—often taking him away for months at a time—has created growing distance between him and Elsa, 48.
“They maintain appearances, but behind closed doors, they’re struggling,” an insider tells Heat. “The constant travel and time apart have taken a real toll. This feels different from past challenges—they’re more disconnected than ever.”
The couple, who share three children—India, 13, and twins Tristan and Sasha, 11—have spent much of the past year apart. While Elsa has remained in Byron Bay focusing on family and her new thriller The Mark, Chris has been filming back-to-back projects in the U.K. and U.S., including the latest Thor installment and Subversion alongside Lily Collins.
“When they do spend time together, it’s usually family-related,” another insider reveals. “They rarely have one-on-one time as a couple anymore.”
Elsa has been candid in past interviews about the realities of life with a global superstar. “Marriage takes constant effort,” she once shared. “You have to stay curious about each other and find joy in the small moments. When life pulls you apart, you have to find your way back.”
But lately, that path has seemed harder to find. “The spark that once defined them has dimmed,” says the insider. “Chris admits he feels lost about how to fix things.”
Fortunately, their closest friends—Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana—are rallying around the couple. The two families have long been tight, often vacationing together and raising their kids side by side in Australia.
“Matt and Luciana went through their own rocky phase,” the source explains. “They came close to separating but pulled through after therapy and time together. Matt’s now urging Chris to do the same—to fight for his marriage.”
According to insiders, Damon has encouraged Hemsworth to plan a private getaway to rekindle the romance. “He told Chris, ‘Don’t wait for things to fix themselves. Show Elsa she’s still your partner—not just the kids’ mom,’” the source shares.
As their anniversary approaches, friends are hopeful that Chris and Elsa can rediscover what first brought them together. “There’s still a lot of love there,” says the insider. “They just need to reconnect before the distance becomes permanent.”
With Hollywood still reeling from Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s recent split, fans are rooting for Chris and Elsa to avoid the same fate. “Even a small romantic gesture from Chris could mean the world to her,” the source adds. “Everyone’s hoping this isn’t the end.”
