The Rip (2026) Review – Loyalty, Greed, and Survival Collide

The Rip is a tense, muscular crime thriller that plays directly to director Joe Carnahan’s strengths: sharp pacing, combustible character dynamics, and pressure-cooker situations that tighten with every passing minute. From its opening moments, the film establishes an atmosphere of paranoia and moral uncertainty, pulling viewers into a story where loyalty, greed, and survival collide with explosive consequences.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite with an easy, lived-in chemistry that anchors the film from start to finish. Damon delivers a quietly powerful performance as Lieutenant Dane, a man still fractured by personal loss and clinging to his sense of duty as the last thing keeping him upright. Affleck, meanwhile, injects volatility into Detective Sergeant J.D., a character whose unpredictability keeps both his colleagues and the audience constantly on edge. Together, they form a compelling central duo — not traditional heroes, but flawed men navigating impossible choices under extreme pressure.

The film’s inciting incident — the discovery of millions of dollars hidden inside a seemingly ordinary home — immediately transforms The Rip into a ticking-clock thriller. Carnahan smartly leans into the logistics and ethical complications of that discovery, allowing tension to build through dialogue, mistrust, and escalating stakes before violence inevitably erupts. When the promised chaos arrives, it does so with the director’s trademark intensity: bursts of gunfire, sudden reversals, and relentless momentum that never lets the audience settle.

The supporting cast is stacked and well-utilized. Kyle Chandler brings commanding presence as DEA Agent Mateo, effortlessly stealing scenes with his quiet authority and piercing intensity. Steven Yeun adds an intriguing layer of uncertainty as Detective Mike, a character whose outward professionalism masks motives that are never entirely clear. Teyana Taylor is solid and confident as Detective Numa, holding her own amid the film’s shifting alliances and mounting tension. Across the board, the ensemble elevates the material, making even brief interactions feel charged and consequential.

What makes The Rip especially engaging is its commitment to moral ambiguity. The film constantly asks what lines can be crossed when opportunity presents itself — and whether doing the “right” thing is ever truly simple. Carnahan allows these questions to simmer beneath the action, giving the story weight without slowing its pace. Even as bullets fly and plans unravel, the film remains grounded in character choices rather than spectacle alone.

Visually, The Rip is slick and confident, with Carnahan’s kinetic direction keeping scenes tight and purposeful. Miami’s heat and urban sprawl are used to great effect, amplifying the film’s sense of claustrophobia and urgency. The editing keeps the narrative moving briskly, while the sound design ensures every confrontation lands with impact.

While The Rip may not aim for awards-season prestige, it excels at what it sets out to do: deliver a gripping, fast-moving crime thriller packed with strong performances, constant tension, and satisfying bursts of action. It’s the kind of film that reminds viewers why character-driven genre storytelling still works when handled by filmmakers who understand rhythm, stakes, and audience engagement.

In the end, The Rip is a sharp, highly watchable thriller that keeps viewers locked in from beginning to end. Powered by the chemistry of Damon and Affleck, supported by a deep and talented cast, and driven by Carnahan’s confident direction, it’s an intense and entertaining ride that proves Netflix’s action slate remains in very capable hands.