Netflix has just unveiled the first look at The Rip, a heart-pounding crime thriller set to premiere on January 16, 2026. Directed by Joe Carnahan, known for his raw, visceral films like Narc and The Grey, this Miami-set drama promises a tense, character-driven narrative that explores the fragility of trust under the weight of greed. Starring Hollywood heavyweights Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, alongside an all-star ensemble including Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Kyle Chandler, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Néstor Carbonell, Lina Esco, and Scott Adkins, The Rip is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most electrifying releases of 2026. The first-look images and teaser trailer, revealed in September 2025, have sparked a frenzy of excitement, offering glimpses of a dark, high-stakes world where loyalty is a luxury no one can afford.

A Story of Greed and Betrayal

At its core, The Rip is a tale of temptation and its devastating consequences. The film’s official logline sets the stage: “Upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question — including who they can rely on.” This premise, rooted in real-world inspiration, draws from the experiences of a close friend of Carnahan’s who served as head of tactical narcotics for the Miami-Dade Police Department. The term “rip” refers to the police slang for seizing illegal goods—cash, drugs, or weapons—a gritty detail that anchors the film in authenticity.

The story begins with a team of Miami police officers, led by Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Ben Affleck), stumbling upon a staggering fortune hidden in an abandoned stash house. What starts as a career-defining bust quickly spirals into a nightmare. As word of the massive haul spreads, external pressures—cartels, corrupt officials, and opportunistic criminals—close in, threatening to tear the team apart. Suspicion festers, alliances crumble, and the line between right and wrong blurs. The 90-second teaser trailer captures this unraveling dynamic with chilling precision. Sasha Calle’s character, Desi, delivers a stark warning: “You should just take whatever money you want and walk away before this goes really bad for all of us.” Later, Damon’s Dumars confronts Affleck’s Byrne, asking, “Do you think I’m gonna jack this rip?” to which Byrne replies, “I don’t trust you right now, and that’s a fucking problem.”

This moral quagmire, where loyalty battles greed, is the beating heart of The Rip. Carnahan has cited classic ‘70s cop thrillers like Serpico, Prince of the City, and Michael Mann’s Heat as influences, promising a film that blends intense action with deep character exploration. The story’s real-world roots add an extra layer of intrigue: Carnahan drew inspiration from his friend’s experiences as both a father and a narcotics officer, lending a personal, human dimension to the high-stakes drama.

A Powerhouse Cast Anchored by Damon and Affleck

The casting of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is a major draw, marking their eleventh on-screen collaboration and their first action thriller together. The duo, who first rose to fame with their Oscar-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting (1997), have a storied history of bringing authenticity and chemistry to their projects, from Dogma (1999) to The Last Duel (2021) and Air (2023). In The Rip, they play Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, respectively—two seasoned cops whose long-standing partnership is tested by the lure of the cash. First-look photos show Damon in a crisp police uniform, badge dangling from his neck, and Affleck in a darker, more rugged look, with a hoodie layered over his police jacket, hinting at their contrasting personalities.

Carnahan has praised the duo’s dynamic, noting their “wonderful sense of friendship and brotherhood” that shines through on screen. “You’ve got these two guys who have been world-famous for over 30 years,” he said in an interview. “They’re so gifted and lovely and talented and open.” Affleck often takes on the more flamboyant roles, as seen in The Last Duel, while Damon’s understated, grounded performance provides a counterbalance. In a recent discussion, Affleck lauded Damon’s acting, saying, “He is so understated, so real and so honest—it’s the opposite of a ‘showy’ performance, and I think what he does is more difficult.” Damon, ever self-deprecating, quipped, “Well, someone’s gotta put the movie on their back.”

The supporting cast is equally impressive. Steven Yeun, fresh off his Emmy-winning role in Beef, plays Detective Mike Ro, bringing his signature intensity to the team. Teyana Taylor, who has been building momentum with standout performances in A Thousand and One and The Book of Clarence, stars as Detective Numa Baptiste, a role that promises to showcase her magnetic screen presence. Kyle Chandler, known for Friday Night Lights and Bloodline, plays DEA Agent Mateo “Matty” Nix, while Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace) and Sasha Calle (The Flash) portray Detectives Lolo Salazar and Desi, respectively. Rounding out the ensemble are Néstor Carbonell (Shōgun), Lina Esco (S.W.A.T.), and action star Scott Adkins (John Wick: Chapter 4), whose presence suggests the film’s high-octane action sequences.

Carnahan has emphasized the cast’s chemistry, noting that their genuine camaraderie elevated the film. “It doesn’t feel like a bunch of actors just showed up five minutes before,” he said. “The bonding and spending time and people really, genuinely liking each other gave it this great feeling that is hard to capture.” First-look images, including a group shot of Damon, Affleck, Yeun, Taylor, and Moreno, exude a gritty realism, with the actors clad in tactical gear, their expressions taut with suspicion. Another behind-the-scenes photo captures Carnahan directing Yeun and Damon on set, hinting at the film’s intense, hands-on production.

Joe Carnahan’s Vision: A Throwback to Gritty Thrillers

Joe Carnahan, the writer-director behind The Rip, is no stranger to high-octane storytelling. His filmography, which includes Smokin’ Aces, The A-Team, Boss Level, and Copshop, is defined by muscular action and complex characters. With The Rip, he returns to the gritty, character-driven territory of his 2002 breakout Narc, blending visceral thrills with psychological depth. Carnahan’s collaboration with Damon and Affleck, who also produce through their Artists Equity studio, was a seamless one. “Working with Matt and Ben and having two, distinctly talented filmmakers, as both creative allies and the studio heads, wound up being the best of both worlds,” he said. “I’ve never had as easy an experience on a movie as I had on The Rip.”

The film’s aesthetic draws heavily from the ‘70s cop thrillers that Carnahan admires, with a nod to Michael Mann’s Heat for its blend of action and interpersonal drama. Shot on location in Miami, The Rip captures the city’s vibrant yet dangerous underbelly—its neon-lit nightlife, sprawling warehouses, and humid, palm-lined streets. Cinematographer Mauro Fiore, an Oscar winner for Avatar, brings a textured realism to the visuals, with first-look images showcasing a muted color palette punctuated by bursts of neon and muzzle flashes. The teaser trailer features a standout sequence: a nighttime raid on the stash house, with flashlights cutting through the darkness as the team uncovers stacks of cash, only to be ambushed in a chaotic firefight.

Carnahan’s signature style—kinetic action paired with raw emotion—shines through in the trailer’s glimpses of high-stakes set pieces: a car chase through Miami’s congested streets, a brutal hand-to-hand brawl involving Adkins’ character, and a tense standoff where Damon’s Dumars holds a gun to an unseen figure’s head. Yet, it’s the quieter moments that promise to leave a lasting impact: Yeun’s Mike Ro staring into a mirror, blood on his knuckles; Taylor’s Numa Baptiste whispering a prayer before a raid; Affleck’s Byrne sitting alone in a dimly lit bar, his face etched with doubt.

A Soundtrack and Score to Amplify the Tension

Adding to the film’s atmosphere is its score, composed by Clint Mansell, known for his haunting work on Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan. Mansell’s music, described by Carnahan as “both relentless and soulful,” underscores the film’s emotional and physical intensity. The trailer features a pulsing track that builds from eerie synths to a driving beat, amplifying the sense of impending doom. Additionally, the soundtrack includes original songs by Teyana Taylor, who wrote and performed a soulful ballad for the end credits, as well as contributions from Miami-based artists to root the film in its setting.

Themes That Resonate

Beyond its action and star power, The Rip explores universal themes: the cost of greed, the fragility of trust, and the moral compromises made under pressure. The film’s narrative raises questions about loyalty—not just to one’s colleagues but to one’s own principles. “It’s about what happens when you’re faced with a choice that could change your life but destroy everything you stand for,” Carnahan said in an interview. The story also touches on the personal toll of law enforcement, with characters grappling with family pressures and the weight of their dangerous profession.

The ensemble cast allows for a diverse range of perspectives. Yeun’s Mike Ro, a first-generation Korean-American, navigates the team’s dynamics as an outsider, while Taylor’s Numa Baptiste brings a fierce determination shaped by her upbringing in Miami’s toughest neighborhoods. Moreno’s Lolo Salazar, a seasoned detective, carries the scars of past betrayals, and Calle’s Desi represents a younger generation caught between ambition and fear. These layered characters ensure that The Rip is more than just a thriller—it’s a character study of human nature under duress.

Why The Rip Is a Must-Watch

Netflix’s decision to greenlight The Rip reflects its ongoing commitment to bold, original storytelling. With a reported budget of $80 million, the film combines A-list talent with a director known for delivering edge-of-your-seat entertainment. The first-look materials have already generated buzz, with fans praising the cast’s chemistry and the trailer’s gritty intensity. Social media reactions have been ecstatic, with viewers calling it “Heat for the streaming era” and “a masterclass in tension.”

For Damon and Affleck, The Rip is a return to the kind of high-stakes storytelling that defined their early careers. Their involvement as producers through Artists Equity ensures a level of creative control that promises authenticity and passion. The ensemble cast, meanwhile, offers something for everyone: Yeun and Taylor bring fresh energy, Chandler and Moreno deliver veteran gravitas, and Adkins guarantees jaw-dropping action.

As the January 2026 release date approaches, The Rip is shaping up to be a cultural event. It’s a film that asks tough questions: How far would you go for a life-changing sum? Who do you trust when the stakes are this high? With its stellar cast, visionary director, and gripping premise, The Rip is poised to dominate Netflix’s charts and spark conversations long after the credits roll. Mark your calendars—this is one rip you won’t want to miss.