The Rip on Netflix is a suspenseful, slow-moving crime thriller that feeds on moral ambiguity, paranoia, and simmering mistrust among law officials. The picture, which was directed by genre expert Joe Carnahan, draws from the gritty heritage of vintage neo-noir crime dramas while forging its own identity through complex characters and a tightening pressure-cooker plot.
The Rip begins with a terrifying prologue that establishes the mood for the rest of the story, which is set against the bright nightscapes and rain-soaked streets of Miami. Before she can save a terrified informant, the captain of the narcotics section is killed, leaving behind a mysterious last clue. The movie then devolves into a labyrinth of interrogations, covert plans, and shattered allegiances.
Matt Damon stars as Lt. Dane Dumars, a recently promoted officer grappling with personal grief and growing suspicions about how his department is handling the killing of one of its own. His quiet, controlled demeanor contrasts sharply with Ben Affleck’s volatile Det. Sgt. J.D. Byrne — his longtime partner and friend — whose personal ties to the victim complicate both the investigation and his judgment. Their shared history adds emotional weight to every confrontation, making even casual exchanges feel charged.
As federal agents circle and internal trust erodes, the story takes a sharp turn when Dumars’ team stumbles upon a cartel stash house holding millions in unexplained cash. What should be a routine seizure quickly turns into a psychological minefield. Conflicting information, anonymous threats, and rigid police protocols force the officers to remain trapped at the scene, giving suspicion time to grow and alliances to fracture.
Joe Carnahan skillfully parcels out information, keeping viewers guessing about who can be trusted and who might be compromised. The film’s tension doesn’t rely solely on gunfire or car chases — though both are effectively staged — but on the fear that betrayal may come from within. The shifting dynamics among the team, played by Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Kyle Chandler, add texture and unpredictability to the narrative.
Visually, The Rip is drenched in mood. The dark interiors, flashing police lights, and claustrophobic spaces amplify the sense of encroaching danger, while Clinton Shorter’s brooding synth score hums beneath the action, reinforcing the film’s uneasy pulse.
Though the film doesn’t reinvent the crime-thriller genre, it executes its familiar elements with confidence and craft. Its greatest strength lies in character — flawed, conflicted individuals navigating a world where the line between justice and corruption is increasingly blurred.
The Rip stands out as one of Netflix’s more compelling original thrillers: tense, atmospheric, and anchored by strong performances that keep the stakes feeling personal long after the final shot.