The official trailer for The Rip has been released, showcasing Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in a high-stakes crime thriller coming to Netflix on January 16, 2026. The film follows a Miami-Dade Tactical Narcotics Team that discovers millions in cash in a derelict stash house, forcing the officers to count the money on-site while surrounded by external threats and internal mistrust.
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Trailer Content and Plot Overview
The trailer opens with Damon’s Lieutenant Dane Dumars narrating that from the outside the seizure seems simple, but on the inside everything becomes complicated. Affleck’s Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne must navigate the dangerous situation alongside Damon, with the discovery of over $20 million creating massive temptation and trust issues among the team.
The world outside the stash house proves equally dangerous, with threatening phone calls and porch lights flashing Morse code signaling external threats. The team cannot leave, making them targets for criminal elements aware of the massive cash seizure.
Cast and Ensemble Configuration
| Cast Member | Character | Role Type |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Damon | Lieutenant Dane Dumars | Lead protagonist |
| Ben Affleck | Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne | Lead co-star |
| Steven Yeun | Undisclosed role | Supporting cast |
| Teyana Taylor | Undisclosed role | Supporting cast |
| Sasha Calle | Femme fatale character | Key ensemble member |
| Catalina Sandino Moreno | Undisclosed role | Supporting cast |
| Kyle Chandler | Undisclosed role | Supporting cast |
| Scott Adkins | Undisclosed role | Supporting cast |
| Néstor Carbonell | Undisclosed role | Supporting cast |
| Lina Esco | Undisclosed role | Supporting cast |
Sasha Calle, known for The Flash, plays a femme fatale type character who becomes entangled with the team during the raid.
Director and Production Details
| Production Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Director/Writer | Joe Carnahan |
| Co-Writer | Michael McGrale |
| Production Company | Artists Equity (Damon/Affleck studio) |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix (exclusive) |
| Global Release Date | January 16, 2026 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 13 minutes |
| Genre Classification | Crime thriller, action-drama |
| Inspiration | True events from Miami Dade police department |
| Production Timing | Shot October 2024, completed December 2024 |
Director Joe Carnahan described how his inspiration came from a deeply personal experience his friend went through as the Miami Dade police department’s head of tactical narcotics.
Damon and Affleck’s Long Partnership
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been friends since elementary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with Damon recalling that Affleck came to his rescue in a schoolyard fight, putting himself in danger to help. They later won an Oscar together for co-writing Good Will Hunting before launching parallel careers to stardom.
The Rip marks the first collaboration between Netflix and Damon and Affleck’s production company Artists Equity, which they established in 2022.
Film’s Thematic Core and Genre Positioning
The Rip is billed as a gritty, throwback action-thriller that invites comparison to stunt-heavy heist films like The Fast and the Furious and corrupt-cop movies like Training Day. The title references Miami cop parlance, where “ripping” refers to taking the bad guy’s stuff, with the confiscation itself known as the “rip”.
Trailer Reception and Key Themes
The trailer features Damon and Affleck in one tense, paranoid night as they attempt to count the substantial haul without attracting attention, with their operation threatened when outside interested parties close in on the house to seize the cash.
Matt Damon explains that the team knows the money almost certainly belongs to very dangerous cartel members who will come looking for it, putting the officers on the clock and forcing them to defend the location since they cannot simply leave.
Director’s Creative Vision
Joe Carnahan, who previously directed Narc and Smokin’ Aces, expressed that working with Damon and Affleck as both creative allies and studio heads resulted in the best collaborative experience of his career, with the actors providing exceptional support and backing his creative decisions throughout production.
Netflix’s Expanded Film Strategy
The Rip represents Netflix’s continued investment in premium thriller content featuring A-list talent. The film foregoes traditional theatrical release in favor of exclusive global streaming on the platform, positioning it as a significant content offering for the streamer’s subscriber base.
Release Window and Availability
The January 16 release positions The Rip during a strategic window following holiday content consumption.
The film is exclusive to Netflix globally, with no theatrical rollout planned, making it accessible to all Netflix subscribers worldwide simultaneously.
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FAQs
When does The Rip release on Netflix?
The Rip will premiere globally on Netflix on January 16, 2026. The film will be exclusive to the streaming platform with simultaneous worldwide availability for all Netflix subscribers.
What is The Rip about?
The Rip follows a Miami police tactical narcotics team that discovers $20+ million in cash at a stash house. Required by law to count the money on-site, the officers must survive the night while dealing with internal mistrust and external criminal threats attempting to seize the cash.
Is The Rip based on a true story?
Yes, The Rip is inspired by true events. Director Joe Carnahan developed the story based on a deeply personal experience his friend had as the head of Miami Dade police department’s tactical narcotics unit.
Who are the main stars of The Rip?
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are the lead stars, playing officers Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne respectively. The ensemble cast includes Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Kyle Chandler, and Scott Adkins.
Why did The Rip skip theatrical release for Netflix?
The Rip was always intended for Netflix as part of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s production company Artists Equity’s first major deal with the streaming platform. The filmmakers opted for exclusive streaming distribution to maximize subscriber accessibility.
