Movie Lovers Are Calling This One of Netflix’s Best Films in Recent Years
Netflix’s new action thriller The Rip is quickly getting people talking, both fans and critics alike. The film dropped on the platform on January 16, 2026, and brings Ben Affleck and Matt Damon back together in a gritty crime story directed by Joe Carnahan. According to general reception, the movie is already shaping up to be one of the platform’s stronger recent releases.
The Rip follows a group of Miami cops whose friendship is tested after they stumble upon a massive stash of drug money. What starts as a routine job slowly turns into a mess fueled by greed, fear, and bad decisions. The story was written by Carnahan, who also directed the film, and he previously said the idea was inspired by real events shared with him by a Miami detective.
Critics have responded mostly positively. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 83 percent critics score based on 80 reviews, while audiences gave it a 70 percent rating. The site’s overall take sums it up clearly, calling it “a compulsively watchable crime thriller that leans on the classic chemistry between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.” That chemistry is something many reviewers point out as the movie’s biggest strength.
Metacritic gives The Rip a score of 64 out of 100, which signals generally favorable reviews. Some critics praise its energy and old-school feel, while others say it sticks too closely to genre clichés. Writing for The Washington Post, Travis Andrews described the movie as “fine genre fare” and said it will please crime movie fans, even if it feels too familiar at times.
Peter Travers also focused on the stars, writing that “it’s the Mattfleck starshine, plus the action chops of Joe Carnahan, that sell this cop thriller when formula threatens to take over.” Empire Magazine’s John Nugent was more enthusiastic, calling the film “a gripping, zig-zaggy potboiler in the old-school crime tradition.”
Seize the cash. Count it. Turn it in. Seems simple right?
— Netflix (@netflix) January 5, 2026
The Rip starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler premieres January 16 pic.twitter.com/oXQrURgHiQ
Other outlets echoed similar thoughts. The Associated Press noted that while the movie is inspired by real events, parts of it feel far from realistic. Still, critics from the Detroit News and Newsday highlighted how much fun Affleck and Damon seem to be having on screen, which makes the movie easier to enjoy. One reviewer summed it up simply by saying, “Affleck and Damon have a good time and so will you.”
The cast is stacked beyond its two leads. Matt Damon plays Lieutenant Dane Dumars, while Ben Affleck stars as Detective Sergeant JD Byrne. They are joined by Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler, among others. Many critics singled out Teyana Taylor’s performance as a standout, noting her growing presence in major films.
Overall, The Rip is being received as a solid, crowd-pleasing crime thriller. It may not reinvent the genre, but critics agree it delivers tense moments, strong performances, and enough twists to keep viewers watching. With its strong ratings and star power, The Rip is clearly leaving a mark on Netflix’s 2026 lineup.
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