If you logged into Netflix today, you likely saw the faces of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck staring back at you. Their latest collaboration, the gritty crime thriller The Rip, hasn’t just landed on the platform—it has exploded.
While January is often where studios “dump” projects they lack confidence in, The Rip is proving to be the exception that proves the rule. The film has debuted with a staggering 82% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling a massive win for both the stars and the streamer.
The ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ Factor: Why 82% Matters
For a mid-budget crime thriller to hit nearly 90% on the aggregate site is a rare feat. To put that into perspective, most high-octane streaming originals struggle to break the 60% mark.
According to early data, the consensus highlights that while director Joe Carnahan isn’t necessarily reinventing the cop genre, he is executing it with a level of “old-school swagger” that audiences have been craving. Critics are calling it “gripping,” “twisty,” and—perhaps most importantly—a “propulsive four-beers-in watch.”
Breaking the “Streaming Filler” Mold
The buzz surrounding The Rip isn’t just about the action; it’s about the business model. This is one of the most significant releases to come out of Artists Equity, the production banner founded by Damon and Affleck.
The goal of their company was to bring back the “mid-budget adult drama”—the kind of movie that Hollywood stopped making in favor of superheroes. The success of The Rip proves that there is still a massive audience for:
- Star-led originals that don’t rely on existing IP.
- Character-driven tension over CGI spectacle.
- Moral ambiguity, where the “heroes” are just as compromised as the villains.
The Carnahan Touch: A Return to Form
Director Joe Carnahan is no stranger to the genre, having directed cult classics like Narc and The Grey. However, The Rip feels like his most complete work in years. By setting the film in a sun-drenched but shadow-filled Miami, he captures a “Miami Vice” replacement vibe that feels fresh for 2026.
The film follows a Tactical Narcotics Unit that stumbles onto $20 million in drug money. The “Rip” of the title refers to the choice the officers have to make: do they turn it in, or do they “rip” it for themselves? The resulting paranoia is what has critics and audiences locked in.
What’s Next for the Duo?
With The Rip officially a certified hit, the industry is looking at Damon and Affleck’s next moves. Damon is currently preparing for Christopher Nolan’s massive 2026 epic The Odyssey, while Affleck is slated to direct and star in the kidnapping thriller Animals (also for Netflix).
If The Rip maintains its trajectory, expect it to sit at the #1 spot on Netflix for several weeks, further cementing the “Damon-Affleck” brand as the new gold standard for streaming entertainment.
