Netflix’s explosive new thriller The Rip has officially premiered on the streaming platform, reuniting Hollywood heavyweights Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in a high-stakes Miami cop drama that’s already generating massive buzz. Directed by Joe Carnahan (known for gritty action like Narc and The Grey), the film dropped globally on January 16, 2026, following star-studded premieres in New York and Los Angeles earlier this week. With its pulse-pounding premise centered on a massive cash discovery that fractures trust within a tight-knit narcotics team, The Rip delivers intense suspense, moral ambiguity, and standout performances from an ensemble cast.
The story kicks off when a Miami-Dade tactical narcotics unit raids a nondescript rundown stash house during a routine operation. Inside, they uncover millions in cash—buckets stuffed with bills hidden in secret compartments—far exceeding any expected haul from a typical drug bust. What begins as a career-making seizure quickly spirals into paranoia and suspicion. Word of the enormous find leaks beyond the team, drawing scrutiny from higher-ups, internal affairs, and potentially dangerous external players. As the cash’s origins and the true scale of the operation come into question, every member of the unit starts doubting loyalties, wondering who might pocket a portion, cover it up, or betray the group for personal gain. The film explores themes of greed, corruption, brotherhood under pressure, and the thin line between cop and criminal in one of America’s most volatile cities.
Matt Damon stars as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, the principled yet battle-hardened leader of the team whose moral compass is tested like never before. Damon brings his signature intensity and quiet gravitas, portraying a man torn between duty and the temptation of life-changing money. Reuniting with longtime friend and collaborator Ben Affleck, who plays Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne—a sharp, street-smart veteran with a complicated past— the duo’s chemistry crackles on screen. Their on-screen partnership echoes their iconic collaborations in Good Will Hunting and The Town, but here it’s laced with tension and unspoken history that elevates the stakes.
Steven Yeun shines as Detective Mike Ro, the tech-savvy, quick-witted member whose modern investigative style clashes with the old-school approaches of his colleagues, adding layers of conflict. Teyana Taylor delivers a breakout performance as Detective Numa Baptiste, a fierce and resourceful officer whose personal stakes in the case run deep, bringing emotional depth and raw energy to the ensemble. Supporting roles round out the team with Catalina Sandino Moreno as a determined detective navigating family pressures, Scott Adkins injecting physicality in high-octane action sequences, and Kyle Chandler as a commanding superior whose involvement raises further questions about oversight and corruption.
The film’s Miami setting is vividly realized, with neon-lit streets, humid back alleys, and sun-drenched waterfronts contrasting the dark underbelly of the drug trade. Carnahan’s direction keeps the pace relentless, blending procedural realism with thriller elements—raids, chases, tense interrogations, and explosive confrontations. The script, co-developed by Carnahan and Michael McGrale, draws loose inspiration from a real 2016 Miami-Dade drug bust where investigators discovered $22 million in hidden cash, turning a routine raid into a media sensation and sparking debates about police handling of large seizures.
Critics have praised the movie’s taut first hour, where suspense builds masterfully around the discovery and initial fallout, though some note the narrative loses steam in the final act as resolutions pile up. Still, the strong ensemble carries the film, with Damon’s understated intensity and Affleck’s brooding charisma anchoring the emotional core. Taylor and Yeun earn particular acclaim for injecting fresh dynamics into the familiar cop thriller formula.
Premiering amid awards season chatter, The Rip has already climbed Netflix’s top charts, fueled by the star power and the allure of a Damon-Affleck reunion. Red carpet appearances showcased the cast’s glamour—Teyana Taylor stealing the spotlight alongside the leads at Alice Tully Hall in New York—while trailers teased the film’s gritty, no-holds-barred style.
For fans of edge-of-your-seat procedurals like Heat, Training Day, or End of Watch, The Rip offers a modern, morally complex take on the genre. As trust frays and allegiances shift, the film asks a chilling question: when millions are on the line, who can you really rely on? Streaming now, it’s a must-watch that proves Damon and Affleck still have plenty of fire left when they team up.
