Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, one of Hollywood’s most iconic duos, have come together on the big screen once again. Released on Jan. 16, Netflix’s “The Rip” is a star-studded, albeit messily constructed, addition to the action genre.
Affleck and Damon’s creative relationship dates back to 1997 after their joint Oscar win for “Good Will Hunting.” The film jumpstarted a friendship that has lasted four decades and nine movies, so their collaboration as producers and actors on “The Rip” comes as no surprise.
Written and directed by Joe Carnahan, the film follows the Tactical Narcotics Team led by Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Affleck) after they “rip,” or discover, $20 million in a Miami stash house. Under Miami law, the team must count the money before they leave the premises. Dumars and Byrne must decide what to do with the money and who they can trust, especially after the murder of their team’s captain.
The film’s greatest strength is its powerhouse cast. Damon and Affleck proved their on-screen talents long ago, and Teyana Taylor, who plays Detective Numa Baptiste, adds comedic timing that highlights the strength of their chemistry. The group scenes flow easily and make the viewer feel attached to the jaded squad.
The plot unfolds over the course of one night, with many scenes taking place inside the house where the illicit money is stashed, creating an intense sense of claustrophobia. The house’s dark color palette works brilliantly with the film’s restless sound design and sets the foundation for an engrossing drama.
But while the film superficially hooks the viewer, it leaves a little too much room for the imagination. Far too much exposition is stuffed into the film’s opening act, and the film gets lost in a complex web of clumsily handled suspects. While its thrill may satisfy the typical standards of a cop drama, the tangled plot is not worthy of its cast. This is the greatest shortcoming of “The Rip”: It bites off more than it can chew.
Still, “The Rip” offers more nuance to the typical action film. Rather than simply pitting the cartel against law enforcement, the film explores corruption that festers among government agents. “The Rip” may not be a perfect film, but it points toward a more conscious production of films from large streaming services.
Alyssia Ouhocine is a Senior Staff Writer covering Arts & Culture. Hailing from Bayonne, New Jersey, she is concentrating in English and History with a particular interest in Algerian history and literature. When she’s not writing, she can be found listening to music and sending Google Calendar invites.
