The Rip (Netflix 2026) Review – Matt Damon & Ben Affleck Reunite in This Gripping Crime Thriller
Premiering globally on Netflix January 16, 2026, The Rip marks the highly anticipated on-screen reunion of lifelong friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in a high-stakes, gritty crime thriller. Directed and co-written by Joe Carnahan (Narc, Smokin’ Aces), the film is produced by the duo’s Artists Equity studio and draws inspiration from real Miami police “rips”—seizures of illicit cash or goods—blending visceral action with moral ambiguity and tense character dynamics.
Clocking in at 2 hours 13 minutes (R for pervasive language, violence, and intense themes), The Rip follows Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Affleck), veteran partners in the Miami-Dade Tactical Narcotics Team. When their unit discovers millions in cash hidden in a derelict stash house (a “rip” in cop slang), what should be a routine seizure spirals into chaos. They must count the money on-site to ensure transparency, but word spreads quickly—drawing cartel enforcers, internal suspicions, and fraying loyalties. With a dead captain, a recent promotion straining their partnership (Dumars is now Byrne’s boss), and dangerous outsiders closing in, the team must defend their position while questioning who they can trust—including each other.
The ensemble cast adds depth: Steven Yeun as a sharp team member, Teyana Taylor in a standout role, Kyle Chandler, Scott Adkins (bringing action chops), Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Néstor Carbonell, and Lina Esco. Carnahan’s signature style—handheld intensity, ’70s cop-thriller vibes (think Serpico and Heat)—delivers pulse-pounding set pieces: rooftop shootouts, high-speed chases, and siege-like defense sequences.
Performances: Chemistry and Tension Shine
Damon and Affleck deliver their most grounded, layered collaboration since Good Will Hunting. Damon plays the understated, duty-bound leader with quiet intensity, while Affleck brings brooding resentment and moral conflict as the sidelined partner. Their real-life friendship adds authenticity to the strained dynamic—promotion resentment, long history, and mutual reliance feel lived-in. The duo’s chemistry elevates the film beyond standard buddy-cop tropes, grounding the action in emotional stakes.
Supporting performances are strong, with Yeun and Taylor adding nuance to the ensemble’s paranoia and greed. Carnahan’s direction keeps the pace relentless, balancing explosive action with quieter moments of doubt and betrayal.
Critical Reception: Strong Praise for the Reunion and Grit
Early buzz is positive, positioning The Rip as Netflix’s first major cinematic event of 2026:
- Critics highlight the “gripping” tension, “visceral” action, and the Damon-Affleck chemistry as highlights.
- Influences from classic cop dramas are noted positively, with praise for avoiding clichés while delivering thrills.
- Some early takes call it a “throwback thriller” that’s “explosive” and “morally complex.”
- Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic aggregates are building in the fresh/high 70s-80s range (based on initial reviews and anticipation), with consensus leaning toward “a tense, character-driven actioner that makes the most of its stars.”
It’s not revolutionary, but for fans of gritty procedurals and the Damon-Affleck duo, it’s exactly the high-octane reunion we’ve waited for—far more intense than their recent dramatic team-ups like Air or The Last Duel.
Is It Worth Watching?
Absolutely—if you love crime thrillers with real stakes, moral gray areas, and top-tier stars in their element. The Rip delivers the explosive action, partner tension, and Miami underworld grit that makes it feel like a spiritual successor to ’90s-’00s cop classics. Damon and Affleck prove their on-screen magic still holds, and Carnahan’s direction keeps the adrenaline pumping. Netflix’s first big 2026 drop is a must for action-thriller fans.
Where to Watch The Rip (2026) The film premieres exclusively on Netflix starting January 16, 2026 (global streaming release—no theatrical run).
- Stream directly on Netflix: Watch The Rip on Netflix
- Check trailers and more: Netflix Tudum – The Rip
- For updates or to sign up: Netflix Official Site
What do you think—excited for this Damon-Affleck action reunion? Planning to stream on release day? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
