The Wasteland Reviewer

The Rip (2026) Written Review

Are we ready for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck to team up again? Instead of heading to the big screen, Damon and Affleck team-up for a new crime thriller that will grace the small screens of Netflix subscribers. Director Joe Carnahan has this dynamic duo leading the way with The Rip, a film about a crew of law enforcement officers who find an obscene amount of money inside a home connected to the cartels. But there is one serious question…will this money get “ripped”? There is plenty of mystery with so many interested parties when you are dealing with $20 million. 

How does Carnahan capture the thrills of this new crime flick? His filmography might not be the most consistent (with some of his most recent work looking downright terrible) but The Rip finds him dialing in. This film is certainly filled with tension throughout the runtime (punishing almost two-hours). Carnahan does a great job of building tension and suspicion as the audience is never quite sure what the motivations for any of these characters truly are. Each scene has a sense of heightening tension and paranoia which keeps this film moving forward at a good pace. There are some intense sequences with shootouts and car chases with some rock-solid filmmaking that make them effective enough. There is an interesting and engrossing score (courtesy of Clinton Shorter) which adds some layers to the film’s atmosphere. The film has some organic elements of levity at times, but Carnahan delivers a consistently intense and thrilling experience. 

Does Carnahan’s script (with a story from Michael McGrale) deliver a compelling thriller? Admittedly so, there are plenty of twists and turns along the way. Carnahan does a good job of keeping the sense of mystery present throughout the whole film. There are more twists and turns than you probably will be able to keep track of (which makes the experience a little too scattered and unfocused) but plenty of it lands well. Another significant admission is that not all of these “twists” feel as shocking as the film wants them to be. Generally, the narrative peels back at effective times but there are a few moments that feel telegraphed a little too early. Some of the casting will also get you questioning the motives of some of these characters as well (an unwanted ripple effect for sure). The overall mystery comes together in quite an effective way even if the film must lean into an overextended “dumping” scene full of exposition dialogue. Not the most shocking of mysteries but The Rip delivers enough to make this an entertaining ride. 

How does the cast factor into this experience? There is a legitimately stacked cast that Carnahan has put together. But the core duo is still the biggest selling point. The chemistry and dynamic between Damon and Affleck are essential for the effective execution of this story. A lot of praise should go Damon’s way due to his impressive poker face throughout this whole film. His veteran presence and intensity stand out so well through this cluttered film. Affleck brings a more overly emotional approach to his character which leans on his strengths. You immediately buy into their friendship and conflicts throughout the film. Steven Yeun, Teyona Taylor, and Catalina Sandino Moreno fill out the squad as they do work with very little from the script. A surprising standout is Sasha Calle who is a young woman stuck in the middle of this terrible situation. She brings empathy and emotion to this character as she makes the most of each time she is on screen. You even get Kyle Chandler whose veteran presence anchors a character who turns out to be exactly what you might expect. 

Is The Rip a worthwhile crime/thriller coming to Netflix? The combo of Damon and Affleck are worth watching. The script certainly has plenty of twists even if the depth is lacking in most of the characters. A strong cast does its best to elevate the experience where they can. Watchable, tense, and entertaining, The Rip is some rock-solid thrills and a good effort from Carnahan.