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Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, lifelong friends turned Hollywood powerhouses, are storming Netflix with The Rip, a gritty crime thriller that promises to deliver the intense, morally complex action duo fans have craved for decades. Set for global release on January 16, 2026, this high-octane film directed by Joe Carnahan plunges viewers into the sun-drenched yet shadowy streets of Miami, where a routine bust uncovers millions in hidden cash—and unleashes a cascade of betrayal, suspicion, and unrelenting tension.

Picture this: A squad of battle-hardened Miami cops, led by Affleck’s stoic Lt. Dane Dumars and Damon’s seasoned Det. Sgt. JD Byrne, raids a derelict stash house only to stumble upon a staggering $24 million in unmarked bills. What starts as a career-defining seizure quickly spirals into a nightmare of fractured loyalties. As word of the massive haul spreads through the criminal underworld and internal affairs circles, every member of the team becomes a suspect. Paranoia grips the unit—friends turn into foes, partners question each other’s motives, and the line between upholding the law and succumbing to temptation blurs irreparably. Carnahan, master of raw, unflinching narratives from films like Narc and Copshop, crafts a story that echoes classics such as Heat and Training Day, but with a modern edge that probes the fragility of trust in a high-stakes world.

The cast alone is a dream ensemble. Affleck and Damon, whose chemistry dates back to their breakthrough in Good Will Hunting, bring decades of shared history to their roles, infusing the screen with authentic brotherly camaraderie laced with underlying tension. Steven Yeun adds layers of intensity as a fellow officer navigating his own demons, while Teyana Taylor and Sasha Calle inject fresh energy and diversity, portraying complex characters who challenge the genre’s stereotypes. Supporting players like Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler, and Néstor Carbonell round out a roster that promises explosive confrontations and nuanced performances.

Early teasers and first-look photos have already set the internet ablaze, showcasing sweat-soaked raids under flashing lights, intense standoffs in neon-lit alleys, and quiet moments of doubt that hint at the psychological depth beneath the action. The trailer’s provocative tagline—”If you found $24 million… how much would you rip?”—has sparked endless debates on social media, with fans speculating about who will crack under pressure and how far these cops will go to protect their secrets.

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This reunion couldn’t come at a better time for Affleck, whose action credentials were powerfully reaffirmed in 2025 with The Accountant 2. That sequel, reuniting him with director Gavin O’Connor and introducing Jon Bernthal as his estranged brother Braxton, delivered brutal fight choreography, intricate conspiracies, and heartfelt family drama. Christian Wolff, the autistic savant assassin-accountant, returned with even higher stakes: unraveling a Treasury Department murder while rescuing innocents and mending fraternal bonds. Critics hailed the brotherly dynamic as “refreshingly original,” praising how it elevated the franchise beyond mere shootouts into emotional territory.

Yet, despite a solid 76% critic score and an enthusiastic 92% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes, The Accountant 2 struggled theatrically, grossing around $103 million worldwide against an $80 million budget. Blame fierce competition from holdovers like Sinners and even a Star Wars rerelease, which overshadowed its April opening. But streaming told a different story. Upon hitting Prime Video in June 2025, it exploded, becoming one of the platform’s most-watched titles of the year and reclaiming top 10 spots months later—even experiencing a notable resurgence in early January 2026, just ahead of The Rip‘s debut.

Fans are rediscovering Wolff’s world: the precise, lethal takedowns; the puzzle-like financial schemes masking deadly operations; the quiet humanity Affleck brings to a neurodivergent hero. Social media buzz has amplified this, with viewers compiling watchlists featuring the franchise alongside modern classics and praising its blend of brains and brawn.

The Rip stands poised to accelerate this momentum. As a direct-to-Netflix original, it bypasses theatrical pitfalls, measuring success in views and cultural impact. With Affleck headlining another morally gray thriller—shifting from lone wolf assassin to conflicted cop—the parallels are irresistible. Viewers bingeing The Rip‘s tale of corruption and greed may find Netflix’s algorithms recommending The Accountant series (or prompting jumps to Prime Video), drawing fresh eyes to Affleck’s underrated sequel.

Affleck has long excelled in this genre. From directing and starring in The Town‘s gripping bank heist drama to embodying flawed everymen in Gone Girl and Triple Frontier, he thrives portraying men wrestling with ethics amid chaos. The Rip feels like a natural extension, produced under his and Damon’s Artists Equity banner for creative freedom. Carnahan’s visceral style—known for squib-heavy realism and tense ensemble dynamics—complements Affleck’s intensity perfectly.

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As January 16 approaches, anticipation builds. Netflix’s winter lineup positions The Rip as a flagship title, capitalizing on post-holiday viewing habits when audiences crave escapist yet thought-provoking entertainment. Early hype suggests it could dominate global charts, joining the ranks of streamer hits that redefine success outside box office metrics.

For Affleck enthusiasts, this marks a triumphant chapter. The Accountant 2, once dismissed as a theatrical underperformer, has found its audience on streaming—proving word-of-mouth and accessibility triumph over opening weekends. The Rip could cement that legacy, spotlighting Affleck’s versatility while potentially greenlighting more Wolff adventures.

Dive into Miami’s dangerous undercurrents this month. Watch as trust unravels, fortunes tempt fate, and two legends deliver the thriller we’ve waited nearly three decades for. In a streaming era rewarding bold, star-driven stories, The Rip isn’t just entertainment—it’s a reminder that some partnerships, like Affleck and Damon’s, only get stronger with time. And it might just pull The Accountant 2 fully into the spotlight it always deserved.