Netflix launched its gritty crime thriller The Rip on January 16, 2026. The film reunites Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as battle-tested Miami police officers. They face impossible moral choices that threaten to tear their brotherhood apart.
True Story Roots
The movie carries that gripping "inspired by true events" tag for a powerful reason. Writer-director Joe Carnahan based the script on a harrowing real-life raid experienced by his friend. That friend is Chris Casiano, the former head of Miami-Dade's tactical narcotics unit.
Casiano also served as a consultant on Bad Boys for Life. His team executed a monumental bust back in 2016. Officers tore through the walls of a derelict stash house. They discovered a staggering $24 million in cartel cash. The money was crammed into ordinary Home Depot buckets. This remains the police force's record cash haul to this day.
Carnahan opened up about the story's emotional depth in an interview. The narrative is deeply intertwined with personal tragedy. Casiano lost his young son, Jake, to leukemia in 2021. The film is dedicated to Jake's memory, fusing profound grief with relentless, high-wire tension.
Plot and Rising Tension
In the film, Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Ben Affleck) lead a tactical narcotics squad. Their routine raid on a stash house turns extraordinary. They unearth millions in cartel money, hidden in plain sight.
Whispers about the massive score spread quickly. What begins as a routine operation turns ruthless. Partners grow wary of each other. The once-solid team fractures under the heavy weight of temptation and greed. All this unfolds in a city constantly pulsing with cartel threats.
Carnahan deliberately channels the raw, gritty feel of 1970s cop classics like Serpico and Heat. He focuses intensely on how loyalty frays under extreme pressure. The cops must count the mountainous loot while dangers close in from all sides. This mirrors the real tip-line frenzy that followed the actual bust.
Miami's Dark Police History
The film draws menace from Miami's own shadowy police lore. Carnahan weaves echoes of past scandals into his tale. Most notably, the 1980s Miami River Cops scandal exposed deep corruption within the force.
During that era, officers systematically stole cocaine and cash from busts. They pocketed millions before federal investigators finally cracked down. Over one hundred cops faced criminal charges. This occurred during America's wildest drug war period. The film shows how one big score can test even the most solid brotherhoods, reflecting this turbulent history.
Stellar Cast and Critical Reception
The supporting cast delivers powerful performances. Teyana Taylor shines as Detective Numa Baptiste, bringing her fresh Golden Globe acclaim to the role. Steven Yeun expertly portrays the watchful and edgy Detective Mike Ro.
Of course, the core dynamic rests on Damon and Affleck. Their natural, sparking chemistry drives the film. Critics have largely hailed The Rip for its throwback thrills and punchy action sequences. The film currently holds a strong rating near 84% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some reviews note the pace dips occasionally, but the overall consensus praises its tense dive into moral shadows.
Audiences can catch The Rip now, streaming exclusively on Netflix. It offers a taut, suspenseful look into the dark corners of the police world.
