Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite in Netflix's gritty crime thriller 'The Rip'. Discover the release date, star-studded cast, and the intense plot behind Joe Carnahan's latest Miami police drama.
The Rip marks the explosive return of Hollywood’s most iconic duo
Cinema's most celebrated brotherhood is back on the streets of Miami. Netflix has officially unveiled the first trailer for The Rip, a high-stakes crime thriller that sees Matt Damon and Ben Affleck sharing the screen once again. This project marks a significant shift from their recent biographical drama Air, trading corporate boardrooms for the lethal, sun-drenched underworld of Florida’s narcotics scene. Directed by the visionary Joe Carnahan, known for the kinetic energy of Smokin' Aces and the survivalist tension of The Grey, the film promises a visceral exploration of greed and crumbling loyalties.
The anticipation surrounding The Rip Netflix movie stems not just from its lead stars, but from the raw, procedural intensity glimpsed in the initial footage. Damon portrays Lieutenant Dane Dumars, while Affleck takes on the role of Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne. Together, they lead a team of Miami officers who stumble upon a derelict stash house containing millions in untraceable cash. It is a classic noir setup infused with Carnahan's signature modern grit, positioning the film as a major tentpole for the streaming giant’s winter schedule.
What is the plot of The Rip and who is in the cast?
The narrative core of this crime thriller 2026 centers on a singular, life-altering discovery. When a routine operation leads to the seizure of a massive cartel fortune, the internal clock starts ticking for every officer involved. As Matt Damon explained in a recent interview with Netflix’s Tudum, the rules of the street in Miami require money to be counted on-site to ensure transparency among the squad. However, this transparency becomes a curse once the team realizes the sheer scale of the wealth they are holding—money that almost certainly belongs to dangerous international cartels who will stop at nothing to retrieve it.
Beyond the central duo, the production has assembled an elite ensemble that boosts its prestige significantly. Steven Yeun, coming off his acclaimed performance in Beef, joins the cast alongside Teyana Taylor and Sasha Calle. The supporting lineup is further bolstered by veteran talent including Kyle Chandler, Scott Adkins, and Catalina Sandino Moreno. This diverse group of actors portrays the various factions—both law enforcement and criminal—that converge on the stash house as trust among the initial team of cops begins to fray. The tension isn't just external; it’s a psychological battle over whether to stay clean or succumb to a temptation that could change their lives forever.
How Joe Carnahan captures the Damon and Affleck chemistry
The creative synergy between the director and his leads is a defining feature of this production. Joe Carnahan has frequently praised the "wonderful sense of friendship and brotherhood" that Damon and Affleck bring to the set, noting that their thirty-year history in the industry allows for a shorthand that is impossible to manufacture. This Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunion feels different from their previous collaborations because it leans into a more cynical, weathered dynamic. Their characters aren't just friends; they are weary professionals trapped in a pressure cooker environment where the line between right and wrong is blurred by stacks of hundred-dollar bills.
This focus on character-driven tension is what sets The Rip apart from standard action fare. While the Joe Carnahan director credit guarantees high-octane sequences, the script—also penned by Carnahan—prioritizes the breakdown of the unit. As the officers are forced to defend their position, they realize they cannot simply walk away. The film explores the heavy psychological toll of the "ticking clock" scenario, where every decision made under duress could lead to a fatal betrayal. Sources like Deadline and Variety have noted that the film's production values aim for a cinematic scale, despite its direct-to-streaming debut.
Where can you watch The Rip and when is the release date?
The global debut of The Rip is scheduled for January 16, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. As one of the most high-profile releases of the new year, it will be available to stream in all territories simultaneously. The film serves as a cornerstone of the platform’s commitment to high-budget, star-driven genre cinema. For fans of gritty police procedurals and intense character studies, this movie represents the pinnacle of modern crime storytelling. Will the officers hold their ground, or will the weight of the millions they found be their ultimate undoing? The answer awaits this January.
Essential Facts: Netflix's The Rip
Quick Guide to the Damon & Affleck Crime Thriller
| Evidence Detail | Confirmed Value | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|
| Director Name | Joe Carnahan | Netflix / Tudum |
| Lead Character (Damon) | Lt. Dane Dumars | Official Press Kit |
| Lead Character (Affleck) | Sgt. J.D. Byrne | Official Press Kit |
