The Rip is a 2026 crime thriller directed by Joe Carnahan that reunites iconic actors and real-life friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Set in the intense and morally ambiguous world of Miami narcotics enforcement, the film explores the thinning line between duty and corruption. Damon stars as Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Affleck portrays Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne. Together, they lead a tactical narcotics squad that stumbles upon a life-altering discovery during what was supposed to be a routine raid on a derelict stash house: a hidden fortune in cartel cash totaling over twenty million dollars.

The core of the film’s tension involves a high-stakes standoff dictated by police protocol. Because department rules require the officers to conduct an on-site count of the seized currency, the team is effectively trapped inside the house with the money. As the hours pass, the presence of such overwhelming wealth acts as a catalyst for paranoia and greed, causing the squad’s brotherhood to fracture. The officers begin to turn on one another, questioning who can be trusted and who might be planning to pocket the loot. This internal conflict is further heightened by the looming threat of the cartel, as the team knows that dangerous people are likely already on their way to reclaim the massive haul.

The movie is grounded in significant real-world events. It was inspired by a massive 2016 drug raid in Miami Lakes led by Chris Casiano, a Miami-Dade tactical narcotics officer who served as a technical consultant for the project. In the actual case, authorities uncovered twenty-four million dollars hidden in heat-sealed bags inside dozens of buckets stashed in a secret attic compartment. Beyond the procedural grit, the film carries a profound emotional weight; it is dedicated to Chris Casiano’s late son, Jake, who died of leukemia in 2021. This personal tragedy is woven into the narrative through the character of Dane Dumars, whose motivations are shaped by grief and exhaustion.

The title itself is derived from specific Miami cop parlance. In narcotics enforcement, a rip refers to the official seizure or confiscation of illegal assets like drugs or cash. However, the film plays with the term’s double meaning, as it is also used informally to describe ripping off or stealing from criminals. This linguistic duality reflects the film's focus on moral grey zones where law enforcement officers are tempted to cross the line.

The supporting cast features Teyana Taylor as Detective Numa Baptiste, Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, and Kyle Chandler as DEA Agent Matty Nix. Produced by Artists Equity, the production company founded by Affleck and Damon, the film has been praised for its throwback style that echoes the character-driven cop thrillers of the 1970s, such as Serpico and Heat. It was released exclusively as a Netflix original on January 16, 2026, and has been recognized for its tense atmosphere and the enduring on-screen chemistry of its lead actors.

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