The Rip Review (2026) | Shocking $20 Million Betrayal

When a $20 Million Cartel Cache Shakes a Narcotics Unit to Its Core

It’s been a while since Netflix delivered a crime thriller that actually feels like a proper genre piece.
With several recent Netflix films leaving a lot to be desired, I didn’t go in with sky-high expectations—until I saw the names Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. That pairing alone is hard to ignore.

I started The Rip as a casual “let’s see if it’s decent” watch, but it held my attention to the end.
Here’s a clean, spoiler-aware review of Netflix’s new crime thriller The Rip (The RIP).

Basic Information

Title: The Rip (Original title: The Rip)
Release Date: January 16, 2026 (Netflix)
Director: Joe Carnahan
Genre: Crime / Thriller / Action
Runtime: 112 minutes
Rating: Adults Only (equivalent to NC-17 / 18+)
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Kyle Chandler, Sasha Calle

What the Title “The Rip” Means

In drug-world slang, “the rip” refers to a heist or grab—often the violent kind—during a cash or narcotics move.
The title also plays with “RIP” (Rest In Peace), which fits the film’s emotional spine: a fallen team leader and the messy pursuit of truth after her death.

In other words, the title isn’t just stylish—it’s the story’s blueprint.

Plot Summary – The Night $20 Million Changes Everything

The film opens with a Miami narcotics unit captain, Jackie, following a tip on her own—only to be ambushed and killed by masked attackers.
Her death triggers immediate suspicion inside the department. Whispers of “dirty cops” spread fast, and even the FBI steps in to interrogate the unit. No decisive evidence appears, but the damage is done: trust is already cracking.

Enter Dane Dumas (Matt Damon), the acting leader who receives a final lead connected to Jackie’s last message. He mobilizes the team for a raid on a modest house—expecting drugs, maybe a small stash.

Instead, they find something worse: a hidden cache of cash totaling $20 million.

And that’s where the real story begins.

Dane delays reporting the find. He confiscates everyone’s phones and orders the team to count the money on-site. Even before they arrive, he behaves strangely—telling different teammates different estimates of the cash amount, like he’s testing them.

Once the cash is visible, the unit’s chemistry mutates instantly:

Who wants the money?
Who killed Jackie?
Is there a traitor in the team—right now?

Outside, cartel-linked attackers close in. Inside, paranoia escalates.
The Rip isn’t a slick “cop movie” about winning the case—it’s a grim pressure cooker about what money does to a fragile system.

Key Characters

Dane Dumas — Matt Damon

The unit’s acting leader. He appears calm and competent, but once the cash is found, his decisions feel increasingly suspicious. Damon plays him with restraint—less “action hero,” more controlled volatility.

JD Byrne — Ben Affleck

Dane’s longtime partner and the unit’s anchor. He’s experienced, hardened, and emotionally guarded—yet forced into a brutal dilemma: trust your friend, or assume the worst. Affleck’s presence gives the film weight, even when the script stays minimal.

Mike Ro — Steven Yeun

The quiet, analytical one. He seems steady and rational at first, but as the night unfolds, his choices start to bend the story in unexpected directions. Yeun’s strength here is subtle tension—his calm feels like a mask.

What the Film Does Best: Suspicion Over Spectacle

If you’re expecting nonstop action, The Rip may surprise you.

There are gunfights, but they’re not constant
Chases are limited
Much of the film is confined to one house, one night, one tightening circle of fear

The movie’s real engine is psychological warfare—the kind built from glances, delays, half-truths, and the simple question:
“Why is he acting like this?”

Why did Dane give everyone different numbers?
Why take their phones?
Why keep the chain of command out of it?

The audience is pushed into the same mental trap as the characters: eventually, everyone looks guilty.

Ending Explained (Spoilers)

(If you’re planning to watch, you’ll want to skip this section in your blog layout or hide it under a spoiler fold.)

Dane’s suspicious behavior is ultimately revealed as a deliberate trap.
Before her death, Jackie left Dane a warning: there was a traitor inside the unit. Dane uses the stash house and the money as bait—engineering a scenario where the traitor would reveal themselves through leaked information.

The reason he gave different cash amounts to different teammates wasn’t random; it was an identifier. If the cartel’s threats referenced a specific number, Dane would know exactly which teammate’s information got out.

Eventually, the conspiracy points to Mike Ro (Steven Yeun) and a DEA-linked figure (Matty Nix, played by Kyle Chandler). They are tied to Jackie’s murder and the attempted theft of cartel money. The final confrontation ends with arrests and deaths, and the operation closes under official control.

The film ends quietly: Dane and JD sit by the water at dawn, honoring Jackie in silence.
After a night of greed and betrayal, the calm sunrise feels almost cruel—yet that contrast is the point.

Ratings & Reception

Rotten Tomatoes critics score: around 82–83%
Audience score: around 70%
IMDb: 6.9/10

Critics seem more generous, praising the film’s throwback crime-thriller mood. Viewers are more divided: “Great cast, predictable story” is the most common takeaway.

And honestly, that’s fair. The twists aren’t revolutionary, and the story follows familiar lines.
But the performances and atmosphere deliver a solid “watchable thriller” experience—especially for Netflix standards.

Final Verdict

The Rip isn’t a masterpiece, and it doesn’t fully capitalize on its star power. If you came for explosive action, the film can feel restrained.
But if you like contained, one-night thrillers where tension grows from suspicion, it works.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck don’t need to sprint for this film to function. Their dynamic—plus Steven Yeun’s controlled presence—makes the paranoia believable.
It’s not huge, but it’s competent, tense, and worth a single watch.