The Rip Movie Review and Ending Explained: “The Rip” is Netflix’s latest hard-edged crime thriller that attempts to reunite Hollywood’s most famous best friends, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon is a morally complex cop drama. The show, which is directed by Joe Carnahan, tries to blend intense police procedure, shifting loyalties, and a clever mystery that rewards patient viewers. In this detailed The Rip movie review and ending explained, we will break down what works, what doesn’t, and what that final twist really means.
The Rip Movie Review: Plot Overview Without Spoilers
The Rip takes us to Miami, where it follows Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Ben Affleck). These are two seasoned cops who are dealing with the murder of their captain. The FBI investigates their unit for corruption, and it takes them to the Tactical Narcotics Team house that is hiding millions of dollars in drug cash.
Naturally, distrust creeps in. As secrets surface and protocols are bent, the film asks a very compelling question: when temptation is this big, who can really be trusted?
The film, which is streaming on Netflix from January 16, 2026, The Rip has a run time of around 1 hour and 52 minutes and carries an audience-driven tension that rarely lets up.
Performances and Direction
The biggest strength of ‘The Rip’ movie is the chemistry between Affleck and Damon. Their long-standing friendship translates seamlessly into their on-screen dynamic, and it consists of equal parts of loyalty, resentment, and mutual respect.
Director Joe Carnahan, who is known for films like Narc and The Grey, is clearly in his comfort zone. The film is packed with gritty action, acronym-heavy police dialogue, and a claustrophobic nighttime. The Miami location is underused visually, but the tension-heavy third act works very well to compensate.
The supporting performances by Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Kyle Chandler, and Sasha Calle add layers to the ensemble. However, they don’t get as much screen time as they deserve.
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What’s Good
- The Rip is supported by the strong lead performances of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
- It is a smart, layered screenplay that has moral ambiguity.
- The movie offers a satisfying slow-burn mystery that pays off in the end.
- It has the realistic police procedures that are inspired by true events.
What’s Not So Good
- Though the film is well balanced, the overuse of police jargon may confuse casual viewers.
- There is a very limited use of Miami as a visual backdrop.
- Some supporting characters feel underdeveloped.
The Rip Ending Explained: Who Was the Dirty Cop?
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The biggest reveal in The Rip ending explained is that Detective Mike Ro (Steven Yeun) and DEA Agent Matty Nix (Kyle Chandler) are the real dirty cops. It was found that they were part of a secret “heist team” stealing money from crime scenes. Moreover, the duo is responsible for killing the team’s captain when she got too close to the truth.
It looked like a setup to steal millions, but eventually it turned out to be an elaborate sting orchestrated by Damon’s character. The money was bait, and the suspicious behaviour was intentional; it was designed to flush out the corrupt officers.
In the final moments, justice is served, and then the film ends on a very quiet, emotional note that honors the fallen captain.
Final Verdict
All in all, The Rip is a good film that doesn’t really change the concept of the crime thriller genre, but it has surely delivered a tense, well-acted, and intelligently structured story. If you are someone who enjoys morally grey police dramas with strong performances and a rewarding twist, then The Rip is worth your time.
Watch The Rip Trailer
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