In a cinematic landscape increasingly dominated by franchise fare, Netflix has unleashed a throwback to the muscular, star-driven thrillers of the early 2000s. 'The Rip', starring Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, premiered on the platform on 16 January, offering a hefty dose of macho action for the weekend crowd.
A Big-Screen Spectacle on the Small Screen
January has traditionally been a haven for B-movie spectacle, a respite from awards-season gravitas. While the likes of Gerard Butler and Jason Statham often command multiplexes this month, Affleck and Damon's latest collaboration has landed squarely on Netflix. This is despite the film reportedly carrying a budget close to $100 million, a rare sum for an R-rated original project not based on existing intellectual property.
The streamer's commitment was so strong it temporarily adjusted its pay structure to accommodate the stars' profit-sharing model through their Artists Equity company. This deal ensures cast and crew bonuses if the film performs well. Directed by Joe Carnahan, a filmmaker known for gritty action since his 2002 breakthrough 'Narc', 'The Rip' feels like a relic from a bygone era of cinema, one many will wish they could have experienced on the biggest possible screen.
Plot, Tension, and a Hefty Bounty
Inspired by alleged true events, the film follows a team of Miami police officers led by Damon's Dane and Affleck's JD. During a raid on a suburban house, tipped off by a money-sniffing dog, they discover over $20 million in cash stashed in the attic—a haul referred to as a 'rip'. The crew, which includes Teyana Taylor and Oscar nominees Steven Yeun and Catalina Sandino Moreno, must then navigate the treacherous task of transporting the fortune, with trust in short supply.
Carnahan, working with his largest budget in years, directs with unsubtle, propulsive energy. The mystery of the rip's origins may not be as complex as billed, but the film quickly accelerates into wall-to-wall action sequences. While the female characters are arguably sidelined, newcomer Sasha Calle makes a striking impression as a terrified resident caught in the crossfire.
Star Power and Verdict
The undeniable chemistry between longtime friends Affleck and Damon elevates the material, with both actors bringing a layer of dramatic weight to their characters' underwritten tragic backstories. They handle roles typically reserved for action stalwarts with a credibility that adds a sprinkle of prestige to the pulpy premise.
'The Rip' is ultimately a boisterous, Friday-night crowdpleaser—a film designed to be enjoyed with a few beers and largely forgotten by Saturday morning. It stands as a testament to a certain kind of star-led, mid-budget action film that struggles to find a home in modern theatres, yet has found a willing patron in Netflix. For viewers seeking undemanding, flashy thrills, this rip is worth taking.
