The Rip

 

Joe Carnahan's latest gritty thriller, The Rip, is more than just another cop drama, it's a fascinating experiment in modern filmmaking that reunites real-life best friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The film centers on a group of Miami narcotics officers who stumble upon a secret room filled with $20 million in cash, and what follows is a tense mystery where greed, betrayal, and outside pressures turn a routine seizure into a fight for survival.

One of the most compelling reasons to watch The Rip is the story behind the camera. Produced by Damon and Affleck's company, Artists Equity, the film made headlines for its landmark deal with Netflix where back-end revenue and performance-based bonuses are shared with the entire cast and crew. Knowing that all 1,200 people who worked on the film benefit from its success adds a layer of goodwill that's hard not to appreciate while watching.

The film shined brightest in its pursuit of authenticity. Set in the heart of Miami, the attention to detail was sharp, particularly with the diverse casting and the cops' seamless use of Spanish; a necessary touch for anyone actually working on the streets of South Florida. As expected, Damon and Affleck had a lived-in, effortless dynamic, playing off each other with the ease of life long friends, which anchored the film even when the script felt a bit thin. While the cast was incredibly talented, including standouts like Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor, most characters felt underbaked. The filmmakers make a solid attempt at depth with Damon's Lieutenant Dane Dumars, whose backstory was inspired by the real-life grief of the officer who lived the true story, but the supporting team could have used more development. The plot itself followed a fairly predictable path, and if you've seen a "dirty cop" or "heist gone wrong" movie before, you'll likely see the major beats coming.

Matt Damon recently noted in interviews that Netflix encouraged "streamer-style" storytelling for this film which included repeating the plot several times and front-loading the first act with a massive action sequence to keep people from looking at their phones. In The Rip, you can definitely feel those gears turning as the film hit the ground running and constantly reminded you of the stakes. While that made for a movie that is very easy to follow, it occasionally sacrificed nuance for clarity.

Ultimately, The Rip is a high-octane, one-time watch that succeeds thanks to the undeniable star power of its leads and its impressive production values. It's a solid Friday night choice that keeps your eyes on the screen, but don't expect a new classic for the re-watch list.