Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s The Rip on Netflix: The true story, Rotten Tomatoes score, and streaming details

Netflix original movies are often unpredictable, some become breakout successes, while others fade rapidly. But a fresh release may tempt audiences away from theatrical choices this weekend. The Rip, a crime-driven action thriller featuring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, released on Netflix on January 16 and is already bringing major discussion thanks to its cast, gritty premise, and unexpectedly strong significant response.

Is The Rip Based on a True Story?

Although the movie carries a realistic tone and grounded police-procedural setup, The Rip is not based on a true story. The film is a fictional narrative written and directed by Joe Carnahan, though it brings heavily from real-world themes like police corruption, cartel money laundering, and internal law-enforcement pressure.

A Star-Studded Ensemble

Beyond Damon and Affleck, who reunite in significant on-screen characters for the first time in 25 years the cast reads like a current Hollywood roll call. The movie showcases Teyana Taylor, fresh off award recognition for One Battle After Another; Steven Yeun; Kyle Chandler; Sasha Calle; Catalina Sandino Moreno; Scott Adkins; and Lina Esco.

Damon plays Lt. Dane Dumars, while Affleck plays Det. Sgt. JD Byrne, both members of Miami’s Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT). Their dynamic anchors the movie's core.

Plot Overview: When the Pressure Builds

The story starts with chaos. TNT officer Jackie Velez is murdered in an ambush, an act that seems to be connected to a growing internal corruption scandal that involves cartel cash. Federal investigators descend on the unit, offering relentless pressure as suspicion elevates.

The strain intensifies when the team follows a late-day tip to a suburban stash house. What primarily sounds like a modest seizure rises into a shocking finding : $20 million concealed behind attic walls. From that time on, loyalty fractures, motives are inquired, and each character must decide whether to follow the law or the money.

The movie’s title regards slang for taking a cut of illicit cash. Whether or not it’s authentic police jargon, the term suits the narrative’s moral dilemma and central temptation.

Tone and Style

Carnahan embraces abrasive realism. These are rough-edged authorities who curse continuously, complain openly, and treat hazard as routine. Talks unfold over loading docks and whiskey bottles, not inspirational communications. Action scenes are present, but the movie positions greater emphasis on distrust, exhaustion, and economic tension than nonstop spectacle.

Rotten Tomatoes Score and Netflix Action Rankings

Critically, The Rip has performed far better than most Netflix original action movies. As of release week, it has an 84% Rotten Tomatoes score, narrowly missing the platform’s highest rated action titles.

Here’s how it compares to other significant Netflix action titles:

• Rebel Ridge – 95%
  
• The Rip – 84%
  
• The Old Guard – 80%
  
• Extraction 2 – 80%
  
• Triple Frontier – 71%
  
• Army of Thieves – 69%
  
• Army of the Dead – 68%
  
• Extraction – 67%
  
• Havoc – 67%
  
• The Grey Man – 46%
  
• Red Notice – 37%
  
• Rebel Moon: The Scargiver – 16%
  

The ranking emphasizes a rare achievement for Netflix, which has battled for consistent quality in the action genre.

Critical Reception

While critics admire the performances and premise, responses are not universally glowing. Some reviews describe the movie as serviceable but forgettable, citing that Carnahan’s direction seems to be restrained compared to his stronger theatrical attempts. The action is competent rather than outstanding, and the production scale appears to be modest given the star power indulged.

That stated, most agree The Rip offers exactly what it promises: a tense, adult-oriented crime thriller roused by strong performances and a morally murky narrative.

Where to Watch

The Rip is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix globally.

FAQs:

Q1. What genre is The Rip?
It is an action thriller with strong crime-drama factors. The movie focuses more on strain and character conflict than nonstop action.

Q2. Is The Rip based on a true story?
No, the narrative is fictional. However, it received inspiration from real-world issues such as police corruption and organized crime.