7.0/10
83% Critics / 70% Audience
The Rip is a gritty, pressure-cooker action thriller released on Netflix on January 16, 2026, written and directed by Joe Carnahan. Built around moral ambiguity, fractured loyalty, and simmering tension, the film leans heavily into character-driven suspense rather than spectacle alone.
Reuniting Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in a modern crime setting, The Rip taps into their long-standing on-screen chemistry while placing them inside a story that questions how far trust can stretch before it snaps. Set largely in Miami’s underbelly, the film unfolds with mounting dread rather than instant explosions, favoring paranoia and ethical conflict over nonstop chaos.
The Rip (2026) – Official Trailer
What Is The Rip About?
At its core, The Rip is about a group of elite law enforcement officers pushed into an impossible situation after a fellow officer’s death triggers suspicion from every direction. When a seemingly routine operation uncovers something far larger than expected, the line between duty and self-interest begins to blur.
Rather than focusing on external villains alone, the film turns inward, examining how secrets, half-truths, and personal motivations corrode a team from within. The story is less about what is found and more about how people react once temptation enters the room.
Importantly, The Rip avoids glamorizing corruption. Instead, it treats moral compromise as a slow, corrosive process—one choice leading inevitably to the next.
Cast & Characters
Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars
Damon plays a commanding but conflicted leader whose authority is constantly tested. His performance balances control and unease, making it difficult to fully trust or dismiss his intentions at any given moment.
Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant JD Byrne
Affleck delivers a grounded, observant performance as a detective caught between loyalty and conscience. His character serves as the emotional anchor of the film, reacting to events rather than driving them recklessly.
Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro
Yeun brings quiet tension and unpredictability, offering one of the film’s most nuanced portrayals. His presence adds a layer of uncertainty that keeps scenes feeling unstable.
Supporting Cast
Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Kyle Chandler, and Scott Adkins round out the ensemble, each adding weight without turning the story into a crowded spectacle. The cast is used efficiently, reinforcing the sense of a tight-knit unit under strain.
Production & Direction
Joe Carnahan directs The Rip with a deliberate, almost claustrophobic style. While known for high-energy action films, Carnahan restrains himself here, allowing conversations, silences, and subtle power shifts to drive tension.
The film was produced by Artists Equity, with Damon and Affleck also serving as producers. Notably, Netflix agreed to a performance-based bonus structure for the crew—an uncommon move that reflects confidence in the film’s audience appeal.
Visually, the cinematography emphasizes heat, shadow, and confinement, reinforcing the sense that there is no clean escape for any character once events begin to spiral.
Themes & Tone
The Rip is fundamentally about trust—how it’s built, how it’s broken, and how quickly it becomes a liability. The film repeatedly asks whether loyalty is a virtue or simply another weakness waiting to be exploited.
Rather than presenting clear heroes and villains, the story lives in moral gray zones. Characters are rarely entirely right or wrong, which gives the film its lingering tension even after individual scenes end.
The tone remains grounded and serious throughout, avoiding irony or exaggerated spectacle in favor of realism and consequence.
Why You Should Watch The Rip
If you enjoy crime thrillers that prioritize psychology over noise, The Rip delivers a compelling experience. The Damon–Affleck pairing feels natural and mature, reflecting years of shared screen history without leaning on nostalgia.
The film is also refreshingly patient for a Netflix release, trusting viewers to stay engaged without constant reminders or overexplained dialogue. It rewards attention rather than multitasking.
For fans of morally complex law-enforcement stories, this film offers substance beyond surface-level action.
Is The Rip Worth Watching?
Yes—especially if you appreciate character-driven thrillers with restrained action. While The Rip does not reinvent the genre, it executes its ideas with confidence and discipline.
Viewers expecting nonstop set pieces may find it slower than average, but those invested in tension, performance, and ethical ambiguity will likely find it satisfying.
Watch Order
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The Rip (2026)
This is a standalone film with no prequels, sequels, or extended universe connections.
FAQ – The Rip
Is The Rip based on a true story?
No. The Rip is a fictional crime thriller, though it draws inspiration from real-world law enforcement dynamics.
Where can I watch The Rip?
The Rip is available exclusively on Netflix.
Who directed The Rip?
The film was written and directed by Joe Carnahan.
Do Matt Damon and Ben Affleck play partners?
They play members of the same law enforcement unit, with a relationship shaped by professional trust and personal tension.
Is The Rip a fast-paced action movie?
The film focuses more on suspense and character tension than nonstop action.
Conclusion
The Rip is a disciplined, tense thriller that understands the power of restraint. By centering its story on trust rather than spectacle, it creates a slow-burning intensity that lingers beyond its runtime.
For viewers looking for a smart, adult crime film that respects their attention and rewards close viewing, The Rip stands as one of Netflix’s more confident genre releases of 2026.
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