Film Review: The Rip
- Very Average Joe
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
Title: The Rip
Director(s): Joe Carnahan
Screenwriter(s): Joe Carnahan
Studio: Artists Equity
Released: 2026
Runtime: 1h 53m
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Steven Yeun, Sasha Calle, Kyle Chandler, Lina Esco
Set in Miami, Captain Jackie Velez (Lina Esco) of the Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) is brutally murdered whilst talking on the phone with some sort of informant who is in danger. The FBI suspects her team may be involved as corruption is common.
By having the FBI interview the team, this conveniently allows for cross-cutting to transition through most of the characters in order to introduce them—obvious but done with good enough effect.
Hamstrung by the budget constraints and current suspicions, Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon), who is now in charge of the TNT, can think of little to investigate Velez’s murder without causing more trouble.
Meanwhile, Dumars receives a tip in Hialeah that may house a large sum of cartel money. He tells his team that it is a Crimestoppers tip and mentions a different amount to each individual. He even lies to his good friend and right-hand man Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Ben Affleck).
When they arrive at the house, they find about 20 million. Given the amount and the fact that he cannot trust anyone, he doesn’t call it in. Whilst it is obvious that Dumars suspects corruption in or connected to his team, this does not exclude the possibility that he wants the money as well. It gets to the point that his team suspects he wants to take the money.
The film is in essence a cop thriller as the plot follows Dumars trying to solve the mystery. It is straightforward with everything signposted early on so that none of the revelations come as too convenient or jarring. One can even state that it is predictable but there is just enough uncertainty about details that keeps one watching. In this regard, it is well-written; the pacing is managed well with effective tension and suspense through the first two acts.
Once the suspicions are confirmed, that suspense naturally goes away. Ideally, the final act then shifts to a different type of suspense as the main characters try to resolve the issue now that they have the information they need. This film tries but the set piece in the final act is not that gripping.
Visually, the seizure occurs at night so the film has a moderately “dark and gritty” feel to it. Although it is not overdone, which is appreciated, it can be more stylized. The few moments of weakness are during the action when it is too dark and the cutting is simultaneously too quick, thereby sacrificing too much clarity.
The premise is interesting enough and is inspired by the experience of Miami-Dade County Sheriff Chris Casiano, although there was no murdered colleague nor corrupt cops on the team.
The story does try to give the characters depth. For example, Dumars, like Casiano, is still dealing with the death of his young son from cancer and Byrne is the “muscle” of the team who seems on the surface most likely to be dirty but is the only one who consistently behaves as if he is not. This is appreciated but one cannot help thinking that it is still cliched.
As a crime thriller, the first two acts have good tension and suspense although the final act can be better in terms of suspense and action. Other than that, it is mostly well-written and well-executed enough. It relies on the flashback exposition a bit too much but it is not jarring. The foundation is there, it hits its beats, it gives the necessary signposts and then moves on.
In a way, this is expected from screenwriter Joe Carnahan (with the story also by Michael McGrale) as Carnahan also wrote works such as Pride and Glory (2008). However, given that it is Carnahan’s work, one expects the film to be better. It is enjoyable but there is nothing particularly special about it.
Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list so you get each new Opinyun that comes out!
Comments