5 things to know about 'The Rip'
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck anchor a mystery cop thriller from Joe Carnahan.
If there’s an early scorecard for 2026, Netflix has taken the lead with a rock solid crime thriller packed with sufficient action and some heart, The Rip. Written and directed by the genius who gave us Narc in Joe Carnahan, the tightly wound film starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck doesn’t waste any time launching itself out of a cannon in the first five minutes.
After watching it last night with my son (a quickly evolving film mind), here are some thoughts on what to expect if you haven’t hit PLAY yet (no spoilers, I promise) or already finished it and are craving a review. Another person’s opinion, especially a stranger, keeps guys like me relevant. Let’s break out our best F-you language, grow a perfect movie beard, and start counting.
5) A 1990s-type action movie
The Rip could have come out in the same time period as Carnahan’s first directorial effort: Blood, Guts, Bullets, and Octane. It carries very little CGI, extra window dressing expense in its presentation, and contains true star power to carry its plot and ultimate reveal to safe, consumptive waters. It’s a new release wearing a jean jacket, and that’s a great thing to see in a time of A.I. infused cinema and an overload of special effects.
Carno Joe’s flick runs and guns on realistic outcomes, hidden plot threads, and one’s knowledge of how these kinds of mysteries play out. Toss it in a blender, and see what arrives. Thanks for keeping these kinds of movies alive, Joe.
4) True star power anchors the show
Back in the day, a movie star like Damon and Affleck could get a film made. It would only take one of them. While it may have taken a streaming giant in Netflix to get this motor running even with both attached as leads (sign of the times), it’s a movie that lives and dies on the star power of its leads. In other words, an audience feels an instant connection with both of them, and it helps the plot get to its conclusion in smoother fashion.
The tale of the tape centers around a group of Miami cops seizing a very large sum of cash from an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip, and their internal struggle with its possible connection to the death of their Captain. There’s also the innate desire for a human soul to want to steal some of that cash when encountered with $20 million, badge hanging from their neck or not. Figuring out if Damon’s Dane or Affleck’s JD gives the movie all the juice it needs to keep us hooked. While some movies need an unknown to get the juices flowing, Carnahan’s Rip needed stars and ones that the audience cares about.
While Affleck burrows himself in the role of a blunt yet noble cop, it’s Damon who gives the best performance in the film as the Lieutenant who has to decide what to do and how to locate a snitch. It’s what he does with his eyes that threads the needle here; the understated approach to producing a performance. It’s top notch work from a guy who knows what movie he’s in and what it needs.
3) It’ll keep you guessing until the very end
While the star power helps the boat move, the devil of a good flick usually lies in the details of a good script. Moviegoers unfortunately think of Carnahan as the guy who almost directed Mission: Impossible 3 and not the guy who gave us one of the best crime thriller mysteries ever in Narc nearly a quarter of a century ago. Like a magician trying his best not to show his trick until the final 20 minutes, Carnahan presents familiar conflicts and possible culprits.
Like an expert who understands what a movie fan has seen in their life will determine how they consume a new film, Carnahan leans on storyboard tendencies that have some tire tread over them. Steven Yeun’s innocent cop going after possible non-innocent cops based on something a witness (Sasha Calle) noticed at the midway point of the movie sets the course for the rest of the movie to unfold, but our persuasion in the first half requires it to snap into place.
When we finally learn who broke bad, it all made sense and that’s due to good writing and a knowledge of the terrain. There’s a few pleasant surprises in the reveals that redirect our predictions, which is a win for any film with modest intentions.
2) Calle gives a quietly strong performance among strong females
When asked by Lt. Dane how she is doing, her response that it was better before five cops showed up at her door is priceless. From there, Calle has her work to do in keeping the audience at bay about her intentions. Whether she’s connected to the hit team that descends upon the house for the cash or is simply withholding is kept together by the actress.
While Teyana Taylor and Catalina Sandino Moreno give fine performances as other members of the cop team, Calle’s Desi does the most with what’s given. If she overdoes the emotions and dialogue cliffhangers, the screws loosen up and the wheels of the movie start to wobble.
1) A little Kyle Chandler goes a long way
Casting him in anything makes the entire operation better, especially if he’s not killed off in the first 5-10 minutes. Playing a pivotal character with only a handful of scenes requires a certain kind of performer to leave a dent. Once again thriving on what audiences know and love about him helping them trust his character, Chandler soaks the rag clean. As a fellow officer who gets involved in the cash seizure dilemma, he’s an ace of spades in the best way.
Powered by a potent Carno Joe script and look with trustworthy performers at the helm, The Rip delivers exactly what was ordered in the trailers. Like my dad, I will be watching this one again to appreciate the whole thing even with the hanging chad element of knowing the ending will be a treat. Only great movies can do that.
One more thing before I go. The action delivers when it comes. While the explosiveness doesn’t repeat itself like a Michael Bay movie, the mayhem does satisfy. A third act fight/chase/shootout scene is absolutely bonkers, so strap in for that.
I hope they keep making movies like this with an easygoing one-track mind. Entertain!
