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Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are back at it again — not just as friends or longtime collaborators, but as co-stars in a highly anticipated Netflix original film titled The Rip. The pair, who made history with their Oscar-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting back in 1997, have since built separate yet overlapping careers as actors, directors, producers, and screenwriters. But whenever they reunite, there’s a unique kind of chemistry that brings cinematic electricity to the screen. The Rip is shaping up to be no exception.
A Return to the Crime Genre — With a Modern Edge
Unlike their previous collaboration Air (2023), which focused on Nike’s pursuit of Michael Jordan, The Rip dives headfirst into darker, grittier territory. This time, Damon and Affleck portray members of a tight-knit Miami narcotics unit whose loyalty is tested when a massive cache of money is uncovered in a raid.
The story is driven by paranoia, ambition, and the slow unraveling of trust among brothers-in-arms. Described by insiders as “Training Day meets Narc with a touch of Heat,” the movie is both an action-packed crime drama and a character study of men caught between duty and desire.
Behind the Camera: Joe Carnahan Takes the Helm
Directing and writing The Rip is Joe Carnahan, best known for his work on Smokin’ Aces, The Grey, and Narc. Carnahan has long been a master of tension and kinetic energy, often blending psychological insight with explosive action. For The Rip, he drew inspiration from real-life events involving the Miami-Dade narcotics division, a unit that was once both feared and praised for its brutal efficiency.
Carnahan has called the movie an homage to the classic police procedurals of the 1970s, particularly Serpico and Prince of the City. “It’s about what happens when good men face a bad choice,” he said in a press interview. “Do you stay clean and watch the world burn around you, or do you take your piece before someone else does?”
Star-Studded Cast Beyond Damon and Affleck
Though Damon and Affleck are undoubtedly the main draw, The Rip boasts a diverse and impressive supporting cast. Steven Yeun (Minari, The Walking Dead) plays a by-the-book detective who suspects foul play. Teyana Taylor appears as a street-smart informant with a complicated past. Kyle Chandler takes on the role of a commanding officer slowly losing grip over his volatile team.
Other confirmed cast members include:
- Sasha Calle (The Flash)
- Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace)
- Néstor Carbonell (Lost)
- Lina Esco (S.W.A.T.)
- Scott Adkins (John Wick 4)
Esco in particular is set to make a splash as Captain Jackie Vélez — a role originally written for a male lead, but rewritten after Esco’s audition reportedly left producers “stunned.”
Produced by Artists Equity — A New Kind of Studio
What makes this project even more interesting is the fact that it’s being produced under the banner of Artists Equity, the new studio co-founded by Damon and Affleck. Their goal with Artists Equity is to create a fairer, more transparent production model that gives creatives a greater stake in the final product.
“The idea is simple,” said Affleck in a Netflix Tudum interview. “The people who help make the movie — from the lighting crew to the costume department — should share in its success.” That philosophy isn’t just talk: many crew members on The Rip reportedly received equity points, a rarity in Hollywood.
Filming and Release Details
Principal photography began in October 2024 in Los Angeles, with additional location shoots in New Jersey. The production wrapped in late December, just in time for early 2025 post-production work. Netflix officially announced the film’s release date for January 16, 2026 — strategically placed to position The Rip as a possible awards contender.
The movie has already built up serious buzz thanks to a sneak preview shown at the 2025 Netflix Tudum event in São Paulo, Brazil. Fans were treated to a 90-second teaser featuring Matt Damon kicking down doors, Ben Affleck in a tense interrogation, and sweeping overhead shots of Miami lit by the neon glow of dusk.
Why This Film Matters
In an era of oversaturated true crime docuseries and algorithm-driven action flicks, The Rip feels refreshingly human. It’s not about superhero cops or clear-cut villains. Instead, it explores the grey areas of law enforcement — the moral compromises, the camaraderie, the cracks that appear when ambition meets opportunity.
Damon and Affleck, both in their 50s now, seem to be drawn toward roles with greater emotional weight and complexity. Their performances in The Rip, according to early insiders, are some of their best to date.
For fans of crime thrillers, character-driven narratives, or just old-school Hollywood storytelling, The Rip is shaping up to be a must-watch. It combines the star power of two industry titans with the sharp direction of a filmmaker who knows how to keep an audience on the edge of their seat.
Final Thoughts
While Netflix is known for flooding its platform with countless original movies, only a few truly stand out. The Rip looks like it will be one of them. With its grounded story, high-caliber performances, and the return of one of cinema’s most beloved duos, this film could easily become the streaming giant’s next big cultural moment.
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