The Rip
The Rip is an intense and character-driven crime thriller directed and co-written by Joe Carnahan, the filmmaker known for gritty, fast-paced dramas like Narc and Smokin’ Aces. Set to premiere globally on Netflix on January 16, 2026, The Rip dives into the morally complex and high-pressure world of Miami’s narcotics division.
The film stars Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, two hardened veterans navigating the dangerous terrain of undercover law enforcement. The story kicks off when their elite narcotics squad stumbles upon millions of dollars in unmarked cash hidden in an abandoned stash house. What follows is a slow but powerful unraveling of trust, loyalty, and morality, as the team members face the overwhelming temptation of untraceable money. Each character is forced to confront where their ethical boundaries lie, and the tension escalates as suspicion and greed infect the squad from within.
Joining Damon and Affleck is a strong ensemble cast that adds layers of emotional intensity to the film. Performers like Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Néstor Carbonell, Kyle Chandler, Scott Adkins, and Lina Esco bring nuance and energy to the screen. Lina Esco, in particular, stands out as Captain Jackie Velez, a commanding presence who attempts to hold the crumbling team together.
The project marks another collaboration between Damon and Affleck, who not only lead the cast but also serve as producers through their company, Artists Equity. The film’s production began in October 2024 and was shot primarily in Los Angeles and New Jersey, with filming wrapping in December of the same year.
Director Joe Carnahan has revealed that The Rip is based on a true story involving a close friend of his—an officer in Miami’s Tactical Narcotics Team. The term “rip” refers to an undercover bust that results in the seizure of drugs, cash, or weapons, and that real-world reference anchors the film in gritty authenticity. Carnahan has cited films like Serpico, Prince of the City, and Heat as inspirations, aiming to combine procedural realism with deep character studies and cinematic flair.
During Netflix’s Tudum event in 2025, early footage of The Rip was showcased, generating significant buzz. The tone of the film was described as a mix between Heat, Narc, and Training Day—a high-stakes crime drama that’s as much about internal conflict as it is about external action. Affleck described the film as a “compelling, complicated human drama,” while Carnahan praised the collaborative atmosphere created by Damon and Affleck behind the scenes.
With its smart script, tense atmosphere, and an A-list cast delivering nuanced performances, The Rip promises to be one of Netflix’s most talked-about original films in recent years. Balancing intense action with psychological depth, it explores the blurry lines between justice and survival in a world where doing the right thing isn’t always clear—or safe.
