Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are facing a defamation lawsuit from Miami-Dade police officers over their new Netflix movie The Rip. The film, produced by the actors' company Artists Equity, follows two police officers who uncover corruption within the Miami-Dade Police Department after discovering $20 million in cartel cash.
Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit, filed by officers Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana, alleges that the characters played by Damon and Affleck—Lt. Dane Dumars and Detective Sgt. J.D. Byrne—are so closely associated with the real officers that their portrayal has caused substantial harm to their reputations. Although the film does not name Smith and Santana explicitly, the complaint argues that the characters' actions imply misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior connected to a real law enforcement operation.
The officers are seeking damages for defamation per se, defamation by implication, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. They also demand a public retraction and correction, including a prominent disclaimer added to the film.
Film's Inspiration
The Rip is said to be inspired by a real incident in June 2016, when Smith and Santana seized over $21 million. The complaint highlights that the film uses unique details from that investigation, combined with its Miami-Dade setting and portrayal of a narcotics team, creating a reasonable inference that the officers depicted are the plaintiffs. The movie opens with text stating it is 'inspired by true events,' but the lawsuit contends that apart from the large seizure, the events portrayed did not happen.
Alleged Harm
According to the lawsuit, the film has led to family members and colleagues suggesting that Smith and Santana must have used seized funds for personal property improvements, vehicle purchases, and private school tuition. The officers' lawyers argue that viewers are associating the Miami-Dade Police Department and the plaintiffs with the corrupt portrayals in The Rip.
Legal Action
Smith and Santana sent a letter detailing the alleged defamatory content to the production companies in December 2025, demanding they cease and desist from releasing the film. The defendants reportedly failed to respond until after The Rip was released in January 2026, arguing that the concerns were unfounded because the film did not name Sergeant Smith and did not imply misconduct. The plaintiffs are now seeking damages and attorneys' fees, along with a public retraction.
Representatives for Affleck and Damon have been contacted for comment.
