The Rip

REVIEW:

Many of us cinema lovers will argue that streaming services are slowly chipping away at the magic of the big screen, and honestly, I get it. There’s nothing quite like a packed cinema, the lights dimming and the sound kicking in. But here’s my hot take: streaming services aren’t ruining film, they’re reshaping it. There are certain movies that just work better as a sofa experience, curtains closed, comfy clothes on, drink within arm’s reach. And before the pitchforks come out, I’m not talking about all streaming originals. Films like Road House on Prime, Enola Holmes on Netflix, and even Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery feel tailor made for home viewing. The Rip comfortably slides into that category.

Directed by Joe Carnahan, The Rip doesn’t pretend to be anything overly complicated, and that’s part of its strength. The official plot lays it out cleanly: after discovering a secret stash of millions, a group of Miami cops are pulled into a moral and psychological tug of war where trust, loyalty and self preservation are constantly tested. It’s a familiar premise, but Carnahan knows how to squeeze tension out of simplicity, allowing suspicion and internal conflict to do the heavy lifting.

This is very much a slow burn thriller, but it’s the kind that simmers with intent. The pressure builds gradually, scene by scene, like a kettle left too long on the hob, until it finally boils over in a chaotic and deeply satisfying final act. The distrust between characters intensifies to the point where you’re no longer just worried about outside threats, you become genuinely fearful for their safety from members of their own squad. That creeping paranoia is what keeps the film gripping.

While the marketing understandably leans on Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the supporting cast deserves just as much praise. Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Kyle Chandler all hold their own, bringing texture and unpredictability to the ensemble. No one feels disposable, and that’s crucial, because the film constantly encourages you to question everyone’s motivations.

That uncertainty is one of The Rip’s biggest strengths. You are always second guessing reactions, rereading glances and reassessing loyalties. The performances are finely tuned to keep you guessing, never revealing too much too early. Good cops, dirty cops, or simply desperate people making bad decisions, the film keeps those lines deliberately blurred.

Seeing Ben Affleck and Matt Damon share the screen again is an undeniable pleasure. Knowing their real life history adds weight to their relationship on screen, and you can feel the trust between the actors even as their characters begin to lose faith in one another. That contrast makes their dynamic feel authentic and emotionally grounded rather than purely functional.

The final act delivers genuine edge of your seat tension, revealing information in real time and never giving you a moment to relax. Once the credits rolled, I was genuinely satisfied with the ending. All questions were answered and everyone’s motivations were revealed. Lt Dane Dumars’ tattooed mantra, A.W.T.G.G. meaning Are we the good guys? and W.A.A.W.B. meaning We are and always will be, perfectly encapsulates the film’s moral conflict and lingering unease.

This feels like another reliably strong entry in Joe Carnahan’s filmography. As with Copshop, Boss Level, Smoking Aces and The Grey, he proves once again that he simply makes good, dependable action movies. One standout moment comes early, when the crew first discovers the stash and Dumars immediately confiscates everyone’s phones. This is the exact moment trust fractures and agendas come into question. The Rip is a film I think most people will enjoy, offering a good story, strong characters, enough action to satisfy genre fans, and enough slow building tension to please those who prefer their thrillers to take their time.