Matt Damon & Ben Affleck Lead 'The Rip': A Thrilling Miami Narcotics Action Film on Netflix
January 17, 2026
The Rip is a kinetic Netflix action film directed by Joe Carnahan, led by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as members of a Miami-based Tactical Narcotics Team who uncover a massive stash of mysterious cash, driving the central tension around trust and potential corruption.
The cast includes Teyana Taylor, Steven Yuen, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Kyle Chandler, with Sasha Calle delivering a standout contribution.
Release details place the film in January 2026, with a runtime of about 133 minutes, produced by Carnahan with Michael McGrale co-writing.
Carnahan reflects on balancing writing, shooting, and editing, emphasizing execution over pandering and the craft of making every stage serve the story.
Critical reception is mixed: the film has moments of emotional depth and promising elements but falters in execution and storytelling, preventing it from feeling like a genre classic.
The film avoids spoon-feeding explanations, inviting audiences to infer meaning, and leans into Carnahan’s tradition of layered, slang-heavy dialogue.
Carnahan notes he had to invent parts of the narrative beyond true events to heighten suspense and create the film’s intricate setup.
The single-location feel of a near-empty cul-de-sac and a focus on a few shootouts constrain dramatic intensity and leave some fans feeling the plot undercooked.
Behind-the-scenes themes center on collaboration, tribute, and the human impact of crime, conveyed through interview excerpts and production anecdotes.
The Financial Times gave it 3/5, praising Carnahan’s energy but calling it basic beer-and-pizza fare with high-end polish.
The tone emphasizes abrasive realism, with rough dialogue and a focus on distrust, exhaustion, and economic tension over nonstop action.
Critics applaud the film’s draw on drawing-room mystery and interpersonal conflict, while noting moments of over-explanation and reliance on familiar genre motifs.
Summary based on 84 sources
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Sources

Forbes • Jan 17, 2026
Is Netflix’s New No. 1 Hit, ‘The Rip,’ Worth Watching?
Forbes • Jan 16, 2026
Matt Damon’s ‘The Rip’ Nearly Sets A Netflix Rotten Tomatoes Record
Yahoo Entertainment • Jan 17, 2026
Matt Damon & Ben Affleck Rave Over Working With Teyana Taylor In 'The Rip'
Netflix Tudum • Jan 15, 2026
Who's In the Cast of The Rip? Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Teyana Taylor, and More