In a cinematic landscape increasingly dominated by franchise fare and awards-season prestige, Netflix delivers a hefty dose of old-school, star-driven action with The Rip. The film, which premieres on the streaming platform on 16 January, reunites longtime friends and Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for a flashy, high-stakes thriller that director Joe Carnahan has infused with the swagger of a mid-2000s blockbuster.
A Big-Screen Spectacle on the Small Screen
January has traditionally been a month for robust B-movies and genre crowd-pleasers, offering a counterpoint to the more serious awards contenders. While stars like Gerard Butler and Jason Statham often command theatres during this period, The Rip finds its two A-list leads on Netflix. In a pre-streaming era, a film of this scale – reportedly made with a budget nearing $100 million, a rare sum for an R-rated original property – would be a nationwide cinematic event.
The current industry climate, however, dictated a different path. Netflix was so determined to secure the project that it temporarily adjusted its pay structure to accommodate Affleck and Damon's Artists Equity model. This profit-sharing initiative means the cast and crew receive bonuses if the film performs well, a notable shift from typical streaming deals.
Carnahan's Confident, Brash Direction
Directed by Joe Carnahan, who first broke out with 2002's Narc, The Rip marks a return to the kind of muscular, straightforward filmmaking that defined his earlier work. Carnahan, whose filmography includes The Grey and Smokin' Aces (which also featured Affleck), operates here with a cocksure, unsubtle style reminiscent of classic Simpson-Bruckheimer productions.
The plot, inspired by alleged true events, centres on a group of Miami police officers led by Damon's Dane and Affleck's JD. During a raid on a suburban house, they discover a hidden fortune – a 'rip' – of over $20 million stashed in the attic. The ensemble, which includes Oscar-tipped Teyana Taylor and Oscar nominees Steven Yeun and Catalina Sandino Moreno, must then navigate the treacherous task of transporting the cash, with trust quickly becoming a scarce commodity.
Star Chemistry and Pulpy Pleasures
While some of the more 'bro-y' dialogue and posturing feels a touch anachronistic for the seasoned stars, Affleck and Damon bring a welcome weight and palpable chemistry to their roles. They elevate what could have been rote, underwritten parts, injecting humanity into their characters' tragic backstories. The supporting cast, particularly Sasha Calle as the terrified young woman residing in the target house, make strong impressions despite limited screen time.
Carnahan stages the ensuing, wall-to-wall action with competent force, though the film arguably sidelines its formidable female characters. The central mystery, while not as intricate as it purports to be, leads to a propulsive and enjoyably boisterous final act.
The Rip is ultimately a piece of macho pulp fiction, a four-beers-in Friday night watch designed for immediate gratification rather than lasting impact. It's a film that would have thrilled on the biggest IMAX screen but, in 2025, finds its home as a forceful, swaggering diversion on television. A greasy burger of a movie, satisfying in the moment and likely forgotten by Saturday morning.
