Netflix is feeding their audience well these days. Another of Netflix’s latest original films, The Rip, which is directed by Joe Carnahan and stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, has premiered with a bang, getting a positive response from both audience and critics.
The film, which is released on January 16, 2026 is an R-rated crime thriller reuniting Hollywood friends Damon and Affleck as Miami narcotics cops whose discovery of a hidden $20 million stash house leads them and their team into a much darker route.
Critical Response & Audience Reaction
Critics have largely responded well, on Rotten Tomatoes, The Rip holds an 84 % critics score, a rare strong showing for a Netflix action film in its first 24 hours, while early audience scores sit solidly in the 70s. Reviews so far have praised The Rip’s old-school Hollywood grit, with packed tension and the chemistry between Damon and Affleck, which elevates audience interest even more.
Some call the film a “flashy Netflix thriller”, whereas others highlight the intense dynamics that keep the story engaging throughout.
Plot & Performances
The Rip is like an old-school Hollywood crime thriller, where it explores how uncovering a massive haul shakes a close-knit narcotics squad. Damon’s Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Affleck’s Sergeant J.D. Byrne get ready to deal with internal mistrust and corruption, while other supporting cast adds depth to the intense drama.
Critics note that some characters are underdeveloped and the concluding act feels familiar, but despite all these their performance seemed balanced and due to the intense storyline, one cannot notice it for too long.
The Rip may not redefine the crime thriller, but it delivers tense action and charismatic chemistry, making it one of Netflix’s stronger original films this season. Its blend of thrills and character conflict should satisfy both fans of crime dramas and mainstream streaming audiences.
