The Rip debuts on Netflix on January 16.
Netflix’s The Rip is a deceptively compelling film, one that showcases what happens when a strong premise about cartel stash houses and corrupt law enforcement meets skilled performers who elevate the material. While an occasionally impractical script and somewhat conventional action sequences threaten to hold it back, solid performances from the entire cast—especially the powerhouse duo of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck—combined with genuinely tense atmosphere and a last-minute twist ensure that The Rip delivers an engaging thriller experience that’s absolutely worth your time.
A Gripping Setup
The Rip starts exceptionally well, immediately pulling you into its morally murky world. Hours after the violent death of their captain, Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) and Detective Sergeant JD Byrne (Ben Affleck) are intensely grilled regarding their potential involvement in the incident. Questions about their whereabouts during the crime, their personal relationship with the deceased, and disturbing notions of stolen drug money are met with aggressive body language and tellingly hesitant responses. Subtle shifts in lighting brilliantly color the interrogations, where a darker room subtly hints at someone being dishonest. Essentially, director Joe Carnahan (Narc, Smokin’ Aces, The Grey) does an excellent job of sowing seeds of doubt early on, establishing an atmosphere of mistrust that permeates the entire film.
The Rip‘s deliciously uneasy vibe slowly develops and intensifies over time. As new information is gradually revealed, it becomes increasingly difficult to pin down who might’ve done what and why—which is exactly what you want from this kind of thriller. The tension truly ramps up to another level, however, after an “anonymous” tip comes in about a stash house holding a sizable amount of cash. When Dane and his fellow detectives head over to investigate what should be a routine check, they end up finding far more than they bargained for. The result: a genuinely nerve-wracking yet thoroughly entertaining stand-off between the cops, a dangerous drug cartel, and everyone in between.
Damon and Affleck are great whenever they’re on screen. But they excel when playing opposite one another.
Moral Ambiguity Done Right
What makes The Rip work so effectively as an action thriller, at least initially, is the fascinating interactions between these morally ambiguous characters navigating impossible situations. The idea that longtime friends and co-workers could be swayed to potentially murder one another over large sums of money is genuinely compelling and disturbingly plausible. And that’s before witnessing any secret text messages or ominous phone calls threatening violence. The film does an admirable job of keeping you guessing about who can be trusted, which makes every interaction feel loaded with potential danger.
Unfortunately, the film’s occasionally uneven script sometimes betrays the tension-filled premise it’s working so hard to establish. While there are numerous good verbal exchanges that crackle with subtext, some of the dialogue fails to fully convey the absolute seriousness of the situation these characters find themselves in. When a person is directly confronted over their questionable actions and their response is basically a casual shrug, it makes it seem like they don’t genuinely care about the potentially life-threatening consequences. This undermines the stakes the film is trying to build.
Worst of all are the film’s somewhat transparent attempts at misdirection which only wind up leading to an outcome we’ve been expecting all along. Of course this guy who seems absurdly guilty from the start isn’t the real villain—it’s a bit too obvious at times.
Predictability Doesn’t Ruin the Experience
That’s not to say that The Rip‘s ending is entirely predictable or unsatisfying. Key moments still play out in genuinely interesting and occasionally surprising ways, despite how inevitable certain turns may feel to seasoned thriller viewers. The issue is primarily in how unrealistic some of its characters can occasionally be in service of the plot. When a seemingly pragmatic person suddenly says something deeply unreasonable or damning, it’s hard not to see their incriminating banter as anything other than an obvious red herring designed to throw us off the scent. This sort of thing can temporarily suck some of the tension out of the film as the real culprits become more readily apparent than the screenplay probably intended.
At certain points, all of the carefully constructed suspense that has been built up threatens to vanish completely. And so The Rip begins to lose some of its initial spark during the middle section. This feeling of slightly diminished stakes doesn’t entirely change when the bullets start flying either. While the shootouts are competently staged and exciting enough in the moment, they don’t last quite long enough to be truly impactful or memorable. A few more extended action sequences could have elevated the film considerably.
Saved by Stellar Performances
Thankfully, The Rip is ultimately saved by its talented ensemble cast and genuinely exciting final moments that bring everything together. Steven Yeun is thoroughly convincing as the apprehensive and seemingly straight-laced Detective Mike Ro, bringing the same intensity he’s shown in everything from The Walking Dead to Beef. The same can certainly be said of Catalina Moreno and Teyana Taylor, who play Detectives Lolo Salazar and Numa Baptiste respectively with conviction and depth. Each member of this detective unit feels like a fully realized person with their own moral compass and motivations.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are the undeniable standouts though, reminding us why their collaborations have been so successful over the years. Damon’s calm yet commanding demeanor perfectly reflects Lieutenant Dumars’ deep desire to safeguard his team while maintaining some semblance of order in chaos. Meanwhile, Affleck’s Byrne is considerably more aggressive by nature and disposition. Eager to figure out definitively what side of the law everyone truly stands on, he’s far less likely to mince words or play politics—as evidenced by Affleck’s consistently sharp line delivery and physicality.
Damon and Affleck are genuinely great whenever they’re on screen, whether together or apart. But they particularly excel when playing opposite one another, feeding off each other’s energy in ways that elevate every scene. Their clashing personalities and approaches keep things consistently interesting whether they’re fighting or sharing a rare heartfelt moment of vulnerability. This dynamic duo chemistry is true even to the point of making The Rip‘s last-minute twist—which does an excellent job of addressing the film’s ongoing mystery in a satisfying way—feel genuinely exhilarating. Being so thoroughly invested in Dumars and Byrne’s complicated relationship and plight, I found myself on the edge of my seat by the time the smoke actually cleared and all was revealed.
Carnahan’s Direction Shines
Joe Carnahan proves once again why he’s such a reliable hand at gritty crime thrillers. His direction keeps the tension simmering even when the script occasionally falters, and he knows exactly how to frame Damon and Affleck to maximize their star power while never sacrificing the film’s grounded aesthetic. The cinematography effectively captures both the claustrophobic interrogation scenes and the more expansive stash house sequences, using lighting and camera placement to reinforce the moral murkiness at the story’s core.
Carnahan also demonstrates a strong understanding of pacing, knowing when to let scenes breathe with character development and when to accelerate into action. While the action sequences themselves may be somewhat conventional in execution, they’re still coherent and well-staged—something that can’t be taken for granted in modern action filmmaking where quick cuts and shaky cam often obscure what’s actually happening.
A Thriller That Delivers
What The Rip ultimately gets right is understanding that in a conspiracy thriller like this, the journey matters as much as the destination. Yes, some elements may be predictable to genre veterans, and yes, the script could have been tightened in places. But the atmosphere of paranoia and moral compromise is palpable throughout, and the central mystery of who killed the captain—and why—provides a strong enough spine to keep you engaged even during slower moments.
The film also benefits from not overstaying its welcome. At a runtime that doesn’t drag, it tells its story efficiently without unnecessary subplots or padding. When modern thrillers often feel bloated, The Rip understands the value of economy in storytelling.
For Fans of the Genre
For fans of gritty cop thrillers in the vein of Training Day or End of Watch, The Rip offers plenty to appreciate. The moral complexity, the professional bonds tested by corruption, and the pressure-cooker atmosphere of good people making increasingly questionable decisions—it’s all here and executed with skill. Seeing Damon and Affleck share the screen again is genuinely rewarding, especially for those who’ve followed their careers since Good Will Hunting.
The film doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. Sometimes a well-executed genre exercise with compelling performers is exactly what you’re looking for, and The Rip delivers that experience. It’s the kind of thriller that works perfectly for a Friday night viewing—engaging enough to hold your full attention, exciting enough to satisfy action cravings, and smart enough to keep you guessing about who to trust.
The Verdict
The Rip may stumble at times due to an occasionally uneven script and somewhat forgettable action sequences that don’t quite achieve the intensity they’re reaching for. However, its genuinely interesting premise about corruption and loyalty, talented ensemble cast—led brilliantly by the dynamic pairing of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck—and satisfying twist ending make for a thoroughly enjoyable experience that thriller fans will absolutely appreciate.
This isn’t a perfect film, but it’s a very good one that understands what it’s trying to be and executes that vision with skill and confidence. Joe Carnahan has crafted a tense, atmospheric thriller that makes excellent use of its stellar cast while delivering enough twists and turns to keep viewers engaged from start to finish. The central relationship between Dumars and Byrne provides genuine emotional weight to the proceedings, ensuring that when the bullets fly and secrets are revealed, we’re invested in the outcomes.
For Netflix subscribers looking for a quality thriller to add to their watchlist, The Rip is an easy recommendation. It’s the kind of solid, professionally crafted genre film that streaming services should be producing more of—star-driven, well-directed, and entertaining without requiring you to commit to a multi-season binge. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need, and The Rip delivers it with style.
Pour yourself a drink, settle in, and prepare to question everyone’s motives. Trust is a luxury these detectives can’t afford, and by the end, you’ll understand exactly why.
7.0/10 Stars
You can stream The Rip on Netflix now.
