Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite on screen in Joe Carnahan's cop thriller 'The Rip,' which premieres on Netflix on January 16, 2026. The film follows Miami narcotics officers who discover a $20 million cartel stash, sparking moral dilemmas and internal suspicions. Reviews praise the duo's chemistry but note mixed results in pacing and action.
Longtime friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, known for their collaboration in 'Good Will Hunting,' team up again in 'The Rip,' a gritty police drama directed and written by Joe Carnahan. The story, loosely inspired by real events shared by Miami cop Chris Casiano with Carnahan, centers on Lt. Dane Dumars (Damon) and Sgt. J.D. Byrne (Affleck), members of a tactical narcotics squad. On a routine tip about a stash house in Hialeah, their team uncovers $20 million hidden in the walls of an attic, far exceeding their usual seizures of hundreds of thousands.
Tensions rise as the officers must count the cash on site per protocol, while suspicions grow among the group, including detectives Mike Ro (Steven Yeun), Numa Baptiste (Teyana Taylor), and Lolo Salazar (Catalina Sandino Moreno). A mysterious phone warning and the presence of homeowner Desi (Sasha Calle) add urgency, as fears mount that the cartel will soon pursue the money. Complicating matters is the recent murder of Captain Jackie Valez (Lina Esco), with whom Byrne had an alleged affair, drawing federal scrutiny from Agent Del Byrne (Scott Adkins), J.D.'s brother.
The film builds to a series of twists, shoot-outs, and betrayals, questioning who might steal the 'rip'—slang for the illicit haul. Kyle Chandler plays sidelined cop Matty, who becomes pivotal, while Néstor Carbonell appears as another federal agent. Produced by Affleck and Damon's Artists Equity banner, which shares backend profits based on views, 'The Rip' runs 2 hours and 13 minutes and is rated R.
Critics have lauded the stars' performances, with Deadline calling it a 'fresh and smart entry' into the genre, highlighting Damon's and Affleck's 'top of their games' form and Yeun's standout role. However, Mashable critiqued the 'macho posturing and uninspired action' leading to an 'unsatisfying' ending, despite the promising premise. Carnahan, known for 'Narc' and 'The Grey,' infuses Agatha Christie-like mystery with violent flair, making it a 'wildly entertaining watch' for those who follow the plot's dizzying turns.
