Let’s be honest — a cop thriller dropping in January doesn’t exactly scream must-watch. But The Rip on Netflix just proved everyone wrong, and if you haven’t hit play yet, you’re genuinely missing out. Here’s our complete breakdown.
Table of Contents
The Rip —Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | The Rip |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Genre | Action / Crime / Drama |
| Director | Joe Carnahan |
| Stars | Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Teyana Taylor, Steven Yeun |
| Rating | R |
| Released on Netflix | January 16, 2026 |
| Review Score | ⭐ 3.5 / 5 |
What Is The Rip About?
Based on real events deeply personal to writer/director Joe Carnahan and his friend’s experience as head of tactical narcotics for the Miami-Dade Police Department, the film follows newly appointed Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) and his team in a state of grief and turmoil after one of their own is gunned down on her way to meet an informant. WhoScored
When the team responds to a tip about a derelict stash house, an estimate that goes from thousands to several million dollars in cash tests trust among the group — and as outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, their lives may be on the line. WhoScored
Greed, loyalty, betrayal. Classic formula — executed with serious style
The Rip Reviews — Is It Worth Watching?
Short answer: absolutely yes. The chemistry between the long-time friends and frequent collaborators raises the ceiling for every scene they’re in, with the believability of their characters’ long-standing relationship never in doubt. WhoScored
The screenplay is designed to bluff, distract, and distort until you believe that almost anyone on the star-studded team — including Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor and Oscar nominee Steven Yeun — could be in on jacking the rip or something more heinous. That whodunit tension keeps you glued from the stash house to the final shootout. WhoScored
Director Joe Carnahan, known for gritty crime films, lands The Rip in terrific territory — learn more about his filmmaking style on Rotten Tomatoes. While the film has weak points in certain dialogue exchanges and an overly saccharine finale, The Rip may be one of the 2020s most entertaining law enforcement crime thrillers, full of intrigue, deception, and adrenaline. WhoScored
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MVP of The Film
Ben Affleck as Detective Sgt. J.D. Byrne is the film’s standout — expletive-flying, gruff, beaten down by life, and pitched perfectly against the more subdued and calculating Damon. Affleck just works as a snarky, blunt instrument, and The Rip lets him be exactly that. WhoScored
FAQs
Q: Is The Rip based on a true story?
Yes — it is based on real events personal to director Joe Carnahan and his friend’s experience as head of tactical narcotics for the Miami-Dade Police Department. WhoScored
Q: Is The Rip on Netflix worth watching?
Absolutely — with Damon and Affleck’s A-list chemistry powering a twisty, tension-packed crime thriller, The Rip is one of Netflix’s most entertaining genre films of 2026.
