Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are showering praise on their co-star Teyana Taylor for her role in the new crime thriller 'The Rip.' The film premiered on January 16, 2026, and quickly captured audience attention with its gripping storyline about Miami police officers.
Social Media Buzz and Industry Recognition
Social media platforms lit up as viewers immersed themselves in the high-stakes drama. The story explores themes of friendship tested by greed and corruption. Industry insiders have been quietly building buzz around the film's intense performances.
Teyana Taylor brings impressive credentials to the project. She recently won a Golden Globe for her work in 'One Battle After Another' and earned her first Grammy nomination for the album 'Escape Room.' Her multifaceted talent has clearly impressed her veteran co-stars.
Affleck's Informal Endorsement
Ben Affleck discovered Taylor's exceptional abilities through private conversations with industry peers. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Affleck revealed how these off-the-record discussions stood out from typical Hollywood chatter.
He specifically mentioned running into Leonardo DiCaprio, who offered unreserved praise for Taylor's work. "I ran into DiCaprio, and he had nothing but incredible things to say," Affleck recalled. "These are informal conversations, not in front of a camera or anything, where people will often give qualified compliments. But she's really the opposite of that. She blows people away."
Affleck emphasized that Taylor's raw energy and skill left everyone genuinely impressed. This type of unqualified praise remains rare in Hollywood circles, where compliments often come with subtle caveats or reservations.
Damon's Heartfelt Appreciation
Matt Damon echoed Affleck's enthusiasm with equal conviction. He immediately described Taylor as "awesome" and "absolutely awesome" when discussing her contribution to the film.
Damon highlighted Taylor's professional approach on set, which made collaboration smooth and enjoyable. "She's so professional, so great, just a really, really good person," Damon told the same media outlet. "It's wonderful to see somebody with that level of talent receive recognition from the wider world."
The actor continued his praise, noting Taylor's Grammy nomination and ambitious creative spirit. "She's clearly somebody with a lot to say and a lot to give. She's unbelievably talented with this ambition to express herself in multiple ways. It's just great to see her acknowledged."
About 'The Rip' and Its Cast
In 'The Rip,' Teyana Taylor portrays Detective Numa Baptiste. She shares significant screen time with Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne. The plot follows these police partners as they raid a dilapidated stash house and accidentally discover millions of dollars in cartel cash.
The discovery sets off a chain of events that tests their loyalty and principles. The film's Miami setting provides a vibrant backdrop for the tense criminal investigation that forms the story's core.
Both Affleck and Damon expressed genuine admiration for how Taylor handled her complex role. Their comments suggest that Taylor's performance might become one of the film's standout elements as it reaches wider audiences.
