Movie Review: ‘The Rip’

The new police thriller is full of macho posturing and acronyms, but also delivers a largely tense satisfying story of an operation that takes a turn.

(L to R) Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in 'The Rip'. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2025.

On Netflix on January 16 is ‘The Rip’ a new police thriller that reunites Ben Affleck (‘Argo’) and Matt Damon (‘The Departed’) for the story of Miami law enforcement who stumble on a giant stash of drug cash, and the chaotic moral quandary that opens up between their team.

Directed by Joe Carnahan (‘Narc’), the movie also stars Teyana Taylor (‘One Battle After Another’), Scott Adkins (‘John Wick: Chapter 4'), Catalina Sandino Moreno (‘Maria Full of Grace’), Steven Yeun (‘Minari’) and Kyle Chandler (‘Super 8’).

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne and Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars in 'The Rip'. Photo: Claire Folger/Netflix © 2025.

Following their successful reunion on ‘Air,’ Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have re-teamed on screen for this new cop thriller, handled by veteran director Joe Carnahan.

Looking to fit squarely into the gritty, brutal law enforcement genre, it lets them go full macho –– but has more going on than you might think at first glance.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, Writer/Director Joe Carnahan, Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne and Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Mateo 'Matty' Nix on the set of 'The Rip'. Photo: Claire Folger/Netflix © 2025.

Carnahan, who wrote the script based on a story by Michael McGrale, has here found a project so ideally in his wheelhouse he might as well have his name written across it.

The story crackles with acronym-heavy police action and plenty of testosterone, but it also finds time for nuance.

And though you might not guess the Miami setting beyond some opening shots (and dialogue drops) given that the scenes are mostly at night in a cul-de-sac, there is plenty of style on display here, particularly as things ramp up in the third act.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, Teyana Taylor as Detective Numa Baptiste, Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, Catalina Sandino Moreno as Detective Lolo Salazar, Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Sasha Calle as Desi in 'The Rip'. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix © 2025.

Affleck and Damon naturally work well off of each other, finding a dynamic that works as longtime cop friends whose connection is pushed to the limit here.

Around them, the likes of Teyana Taylor (even if she doesn’t get nearly as much to do as in ‘One Battle After Another’), Steven Yeun and Kyle Chandler contribute superb moments.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Ben Affleck as Det Sergeant JD Byrne and Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars in 'The Rip'. Photo: Warrick Page/Netflix © 2025.

‘The Rip’ won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you enjoy your thrillers hard-edged and unexpectedly crafted, it’s certainly got something. And we don’t just mean an unexpected haul of drug money.

‘The Rip’ receives 68 out of 100.

(L to R) Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro and Teyana Taylor as Detective Numa Baptiste in 'The Rip'. Photo: Warrick Page/Netflix © 2025.

What’s the story of ‘The Rip’?

A group of Miami cops discovers a stash of millions in cash, leading to distrust as outsiders learn about the huge seizure, making them question who to rely on.