Entertainment Movies Brie Larson and Benjamin Styer's Romance Is 'Newish': 'They Were Affectionate' on Date (Exclusive Source) "Brie looked happy," a source tells PEOPLE of the 'Marvels' actress's outing with artist Benjamin Styer By Jen Juneau Jen Juneau Jen Juneau is a News and Movies Staff Writer at PEOPLE. She started at the brand in 2016 and has more than 15 years' professional writing experience. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 26, 2024 05:09PM EST Close Brie Larson in Santa Monica, California, on Jan. 14, 2024. Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Brie Larson is embarking on a new romance. The Room actress was seen out on Sunday night with artist Benjamin Styer, whom a source tells PEOPLE "arrived and left together" after taking in a performance of Kate Berlant's one-woman show Kate at Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California. "They met up with friends and hung out in a group. Brie looked happy," the source says. "Her relationship with Benjamin is newish. They were affectionate and cute." Larson, 34, wore a red midi-length dress with billowy sleeves and white kitten heels for the evening out, accessorizing with a patterned scarf around her neck. Styer, a Massachusetts-based painter, opted for a blue jacket over a button-up shirt, finishing the look in brown slacks and black loafers. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Brie Larson in Cannes, France, on May 16, 2023. affinitypicture / BACKGRID All the New Celebrity Couples of 2023 The two were spotted getting into the same SUV following the show, with Larson behind the wheel and Styer in the passenger seat. A rep for Larson did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment about the nature of her relationship with Styer earlier this week. The actress was previously engaged to actor/musician Alex Greenwald before being linked to virtual-reality director Elijah Allan-Blitz. She and Allan-Blitz, 36, sparked dating rumors after they were photographed kissing in July 2019. Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald in 2016; Brie Larson and Elijah Allan-Blitz in 2022. BACKGRID; MediaPunch / BACKGRID Jennifer Lopez Says Brie Larson's Tearful Praise for Her at Golden Globes Was 'Moving': 'Meant a Lot to Me' The Oscar winner confirmed her breakup from Allan-Blitz last year while speaking with Harper's Bazaar. "I don't have a next job. I don't have a home. I don't have a partner. I don't have a plan. I'm just completely open," Larson told the outlet at the time. While she did not touch on any details behind her split from Allan-Blitz, the Lessons in Chemistry star elaborated in her chat with Harper's Bazaar on how her outlook on her future began to change as she entered her 30s. "I had all the same normal fears as everybody else about being single and being 30," said Larson. "What do I want? How does a family and a future fit in with my weird life?"