When Matt Damon and Ben Affleck collaborate on a film, it’s always noteworthy. They recently made 2023’s Air, directed by Ben Affleck, which told the story of how Nike created the Air Jordan sneakers. Now, they’ve teamed up again for The Rip, a new action-packed thriller directed by Joe Carnahan. If the combination of those names and genre excites you, you’ll be pleased to know the movie delivers exactly what you’d expect – and even offers a few surprises.
In the film The Rip, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck play Miami vice detectives who routinely raid drug stashes. When their lieutenant is unexpectedly murdered, Damon’s character, Dane Dumars, takes over leadership. Amidst growing concerns about police corruption and the mysterious killing, Dane receives a tip about a large sum of money. The raid reveals far more cash than anticipated. Keeping the operation secret, Dane confiscates his team’s phones and orders them to carefully consider the implications of their discovery.
Netflix
The film quickly becomes a gripping and suspenseful thriller, filled with distrust among the characters – it even feels reminiscent of John Carpenter’s The Thing, as the team starts to question each other’s motives. The earlier scenes showing the strong bond between Dane and Detective Sergeant JD Byrne cleverly set the stage for the tension that follows. While they’re close friends, Dane was ultimately chosen for the job, and JD also had a personal connection to the victim, their murdered lieutenant. JD’s rebellious nature further fuels the suspicion surrounding him within the department. All of this creates a fantastic backdrop as Dane begins to behave oddly during the operation.
Revealing any more of the plot would ruin all the enjoyable surprises. What I found particularly smart about the film is how its polished style contrasts with the over-the-top action typical of the genre. It features classic action tropes – cops in tactical gear, raiding buildings with heavy firepower – very much in the style of Michael Bay. The characters behave like stereotypical tough guys, always trying to one-up each other. It has that satisfying, energetic feel you’d expect from a movie starring someone like Gerard Butler. Honestly, its lack of a big theatrical release feels right, because it perfectly captures the spirit of a classic action film.
Netflix
I honestly think this is the best one yet! Yes, Scott Adkins is fantastic as always, but everything around him is just so much better. You’ve got Damon and Affleck, naturally, but the supporting cast is incredible – Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, and even Kyle Chandler! They even managed to get Néstor Carbonell in there, and the music feels like it could’ve been on The Dark Knight soundtrack. The writing isn’t perfect – the dialogue gets a little cheesy sometimes – but it’s done with so much energy, and the plot is really well put together. The twists aren’t huge surprises, but when things are revealed, it’s incredibly satisfying!
Despite being a fairly low-budget action-thriller with limited action sequences, the film manages to engage viewers through strong writing, skillful direction, and excellent performances. Much of the story unfolds within a single house, which could have become repetitive, but the talented cast delivers even the silliest lines convincingly. These scenes are effective because they feel natural to the plot, develop the characters in a meaningful way, and are brought to life by the actors’ abilities.
Netflix
Having Matt Damon and Ben Affleck share the screen adds a special something. Both are fantastic actors individually, but together, their long-time friendship creates a compelling dynamic. From their early success with Good Will Hunting to all the highs and lows of their careers, that history is evident whenever they act together – it’s instantly captivating. You can see it in their new film, The Rip, where you could almost watch without sound and still understand their connection. Even though their characters—tough Miami cops who seem to have moved from Boston—might seem a bit over-the-top, Damon and Affleck make it believable. Their deep friendship is always apparent in their interactions, and when their characters face conflict, it feels genuine because of their shared history, something the script can’t fully capture.
Subscribe to the newsletter for sharp movie coverage
Take your film fandom further: subscribe to our newsletter for thoughtful film analysis, casting chemistry breakdowns, and smart streaming recommendations—perfect for anyone who wants deeper context on movies and performances.
Ultimately, this is exactly the kind of fun, relaxing movie you want for a cozy night in. It’s not overly complicated, but it’s also not dumbed down. The director understands what viewers looking for something to stream on Netflix are hoping for – consistent entertainment with a good balance of suspense and humor. Add in strong performances from the leads and skillful direction, and you’ve got a winning formula. In fact, my immediate reaction after watching it was wanting a sequel – and that’s the best compliment I can give a film like this.
Read More
- How to Complete the Behemoth Guardian Project in Infinity Nikki
- Brent Oil Forecast
- Chimp Mad. Kids Dead.
- ‘John Wick’s Scott Adkins Returns to Action Comedy in First Look at ‘Reckless’
- Oasis’ Noel Gallagher Addresses ‘Bond 26’ Rumors
- Marvel Studios’ 3rd Saga Will Expand the MCU’s Magic Side Across 4 Major Franchises
- The Greatest Fantasy Series of All Time Game of Thrones Is a Sudden Streaming Sensation on Digital Platforms
- 10 Worst Sci-Fi Movies of All Time, According to Richard Roeper
- ‘The Night Manager’ Season 2 Review: Tom Hiddleston Returns for a Thrilling Follow-up
- New horror game goes viral with WWE wrestling finishers on monsters
2026-01-16 03:37