The Rip is a tense and gritty crime thriller that brings longtime collaborators Ben Affleck and Matt Damon together for a story built around corruption, greed, loyalty and mistrust. Written and directed by Joe Carnahan, the Netflix film was released in January, 2026. Rather than relying entirely on large-scale action, the film creates much of its suspense by placing a group of police officers in a situation where nobody knows who can be trusted.
The story follows a Miami narcotics team that discovers millions of dollars in cash hidden inside a rundown stash house. Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) leads the team, while Ben Affleck plays Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne. What initially appears to be a major police seizure quickly becomes increasingly dangerous. As information about the enormous amount of money begins spreading, suspicion develops within the team and the officers start questioning each other’s motives. With criminals and other outside forces closing in, they must determine who is trustworthy before the situation turns deadly.
Ben Affleck delivers a convincing performance as J.D. Byrne. His character’s growing distrust creates much of the film’s tension, particularly as the officers begin turning against one another. Affleck brings a rough, believable quality to the role that suits the film’s atmosphere. Matt Damon is equally effective as Dumars, whose unusual decisions make it increasingly difficult for both his colleagues and the audience to understand his true intentions.
Another strength is the claustrophobic atmosphere. Much of the tension revolves around the stash house, where an enormous amount of cash sits within reach while the officers become increasingly suspicious of one another. Director Joe Carnahan successfully creates the feeling that violence could erupt at any moment. The first half operates almost like a psychological thriller, with suspicious conversations and questionable decisions gradually increasing the pressure.
As the story progresses, The Rip becomes a more traditional action thriller. Shootouts and confrontations replace some of the quieter psychological tension, resulting in a faster and more explosive second half. Some viewers may prefer the tightly controlled suspense of the earlier scenes, but the action keeps the film entertaining and moves the story toward its conclusion.
The supporting cast also strengthens the film. Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor add additional personalities and motives to the police unit, making it harder to determine who may be hiding something. This uncertainty is essential because The Rip works best when viewers are constantly reconsidering which characters they trust.
Overall, The Rip is an engaging crime thriller powered by suspicion, shifting loyalties and strong performances from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Although its later action sequences are more conventional than its tense opening, the central mystery surrounding the money and the question of who can be trusted make it an absorbing watch for fans of police thrillers and crime dramas.
RATINGS:
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
StreamTV: