The Rip (2026) – A Tense, Star-Studded Heist Thriller That Keeps You Guessing

Wow. The first thing that grabs your attention from this movie is the star cast. Just look at this lineup: Matt Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars, Ben Affleck as Detective Sergeant JD Byrne, Steven Yeun as Detective Mike Ro, and Teyana Taylor as Detective Numa Baptiste. And once the movie starts, there is constant mystery and thrill. As a viewer, I was constantly trying to guess who is the good cop and who is the bad one. Will Dane try to steal the rip? Who else is on the good or bad side? That’s how this movie’s mystery will keep you thrilled and keep you guessing, because nothing is what it looks like.

Starring that powerhouse ensemble, this Netflix crime-action thriller throws a team of Miami cops into a moral freefall, earning a gripping 8/10 from me. Let’s break down the heist.

The Plot: A Stash of Cash and a Crisis of Conscience

Inspired by true events, The Rip drops us straight into the high-pressure world of a Miami-Dade narcotics unit. The first scene starts fast and brutal: their captain is killed. From there, the hunt for answers leads the team—Dane (Matt Damon), JD (Ben Affleck), Mike (Steven Yeun), and Numa (Teyana Taylor)—to a derelict stash house. What they find inside isn’t just drugs; it’s millions in untraceable cash.

This discovery is the “rip” of the title, and it’s where the real action begins. The plot masterfully shifts from an external manhunt to an internal psychological war. As word of the massive seizure leaks, drawing the attention of dangerous outside forces, the bonds of brotherhood and duty within the unit begin to snap. The central theme is pure, tense paranoia: Who can you trust? The film becomes a tight-wire act of alliances and betrayals, where every conversation is loaded and every glance is suspect. It’s a classic heist thriller setup—but the vault they’re trying to crack is each other’s loyalty.

The Ride: Constant Guessing and Great Action

This movie’s strength is how it makes you feel like part of the unit, scrambling to figure out the truth right alongside them. I loved the constant mystery. One minute you’re sure a character is corrupt, the next you’re convinced they’re the only honest one left. That uncertainty is the engine of the thriller, and it never lets up.

And when the tension boils over, the action scenes follow, and they are visceral and well-executed. This isn’t just talk; it’s a gritty, physical movie where the violence feels consequential and the stakes are always life and death. For me, it’s a good crime, mystery, thriller, and action movie all rolled into one slick package.

Ratings and Critical Reception

• IMDb: 6.9/10 (from 45,000 votes)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 81% Critics / 66% Audience
• Budget: $100 million (Netflix)

The scores tell an interesting story. Critics largely praised it (81%) for its tight direction, smart script, and the palpable chemistry of its A-list cast—especially the reunited Damon and Affleck. The lower audience score (66%) might reflect that some viewers wanted a simpler, all-out action film, while The Rip is more of a slow-burn psychological play. My 8/10 sides with the critics; I think the building dread and moral ambiguity are what make it great.

A Star-Studded, Binge-Worthy Thriller

Directed by Joe Carnahan (The Grey), The Rip is a polished, adult thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: A-list stars, a compelling mystery, and gritty action. The ensemble is fantastic across the board, with Damon and Affleck slipping back into their effortless buddy dynamic, only this time it’s laced with suspicion.

So, at 8/10, it’s a top-tier streaming thriller. Dive in if you love movies that engage your brain as much as your adrenaline, and that keep you asking “what would I do?” right up to the final moment.

What did you think of The Rip? Who did you trust from the start, and did you guess the final twist? Drop your theories in the comments, and here’s my ask: suggest a movie for my next review! I’m in the mood for another smart, ensemble-driven thriller. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please like, follow, and share so you don’t miss the next one. Thanks for reading—see you for the next review!