The Rip (2026) is directed by Joe Carnahan, who also wrote the script alongside Michael McGrale. It stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Kyle Chandler, Scott Adkins, Daisuke Tsuji, Nestor Carbonell, and Lina Esco. The film follows a group of Miami detectives who unexpectedly discover 20 million dollars in drug money during a seemingly routine raid. The idea that they could easily just steal the money soon reveals just how little they trust one another. With tensions at an all-time high, the group is attacked by gang members seeking to reclaim the cash. This makes it clear that one of them is likely a snitch, making a deadly situation even deadlier. As bullets fly, lines are crossed, and secrets are revealed, the detectives are forced to ask themselves, “Are we the good guys?” 

The premise here isn’t particularly new to the subgenre, and Joe Carnahan’s direction is pretty ordinary. Thankfully, the Matt Damon-Ben Affleck buddy cop duo is more than enough to make this a worthwhile watch. Their performances are mostly what audiences have come to expect from the two Hollywood vets, but it was a nice surprise to see Damon play the darker (seemingly) of the two lead characters. The longer the film goes on, the more he regresses into a more typical Damon action-hero personality, which is disappointing. However, it’s fun while it lasts, so there’s really nothing to complain about. The best thing about these two is that their real-life friendship comes through in their banter, even when it’s at its most serious. 30 years since Good Will Hunting, and these two prove they’re still a match made in movie heaven. 

The creative team shows a lot of talent, but, like Damon’s performance, the film loses steam as it goes along. The weighty setup, reminiscent of classics like Heat (1995) and Training Day (2001), quickly grabs the viewer’s attention. Unfortunately, the solemn tension of the first two-thirds is undercut by the third act’s rock-em-sock-em action movie tendencies. The best example of this is the increased presence of Kyle Chandler, Hollywood’s go-to generic cop character actor. Granted, none of this is particularly bad cop fare, just familiar. It’s a fun time, but it constantly feels like a missed opportunity. I was regularly thinking of easy ways the script could’ve been more exciting and original, and I’m not normally that type.

Overall, this is an entertaining, gritty cop movie, but ultimately feels like one we’ve seen dozens of times before. Honestly, there’s not much to say about it. It delivers enough to satisfy, but little else. Nothing is bad, but none of it is particularly impressive either. If you just need a solid cop drama or simply love the Affleck-Damon combo, check it out, but tame your expectations. B-