Why Jennifer Lawrence Is Getting Serious with Darren Aronofsky — Despite a 22-Year Age Difference

The actress and the director and spending more time together as their relationship heats up

Jennifer Lawrence, 26, and Darren Aronofsky, 48, appear to be living by the motto that age is just a number.

Despite their 22-year age difference, the romance between The Hunger Games star and Black Swan director is heating up.

The two began dating in September after he directed her in the upcoming film Mother!

“Jennifer is comfortable with an older guy because she is mature and focused,” a source tells PEOPLE.

The two also haven’t let distance get in the way of the relationship. Aronofsky recently visited Lawrence (who previously dated Coldplay’s Chris Martin) in Budapest, where she has been filming Red Sparrow. As soon as she had time off, she joined Aronofsky (who has a son, Henry, 10, with his ex Rachel Weisz) in New York City, where they’ve been spotted on movie dates and low-key strolls.

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“Jen has been mesmerized by his talent and brains since she started working with him,” the industry source tells PEOPLE.

For more on Lawrence and Aronofsky, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

According to another source, the two keep a low profile when stepping out in New York City.

“They are very sweet together and seem happy,” the source says. “They hold hands. They keep to themselves and don’t seem to want a lot of attention.”

The Oscar winner was first spotted dining with the Brooklyn native in New York City in August. They then spent time in L.A. in October, where they had an intimate dinner with her close friends at the Commissary restaurant at The Line Hotel. In November, they joined forces to encourage college students to get out and vote.

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“Jen is a serious actress and being around another person in the business who is intense about what he does has been good for her,” says the industry source. “I don’t know how far it will go but as of now they are a really good match, two talented people who love their work and are respected for it.”

• With reporting by JODI GUGLIELMI