Netflix Sets January 2026 Release Date for Crime Thriller
The Rip is set to release on Netflix, though the exact release date has not been officially confirmed, bringing together Hollywood’s most enduring friendship in a high-stakes crime thriller. According to reports, Netflix has acquired the film, with various release timeframes being discussed for much of the production period. The streaming giant has positioned this film as one of their major releases for early 2026, banking on the proven star power of both actors.
Details are now much more in the open with filming having concluded in December 2024, and the film is set to be released on Netflix in January 2026, with Damon and Affleck cast in the lead roles. The timing represents a strategic move by Netflix to kick off the new year with a prestige project featuring two Academy Award winners.
Director Joe Carnahan Brings Personal Miami Police Experience
Writer-director Joe Carnahan’s upcoming crime thriller, The Rip, just got a premiere date. What makes this project particularly compelling is its authentic foundation in real police work. The Rip came out of a deeply personal experience that my friend went through, both as a father and as head of tactical narcotics for the Miami Dade police department, Carnahan revealed.
The film’s DNA includes everything from Serpico, Prince of the City, and Michael Mann’s Heat, and Carnahan also drew inspiration from the story of his very dear friend. This personal connection adds layers of authenticity to what could have been just another cop thriller. The title for The Rip is simply Miami cop parlance for ‘taking the bad guy’s stuff,’ which is known as ‘ripping’ it.
Star-Studded Cast Anchored by Longtime Friends
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Also coming along for the ride are Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Sasha Calle; the film will be produced by Artists Equity, the artist-led studio that Damon and Affleck founded in 2022. The ensemble cast represents a careful selection of both established and emerging talent. Other key cast members include Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead), Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), Teyana Taylor (Coming 2 America), Sasha Calle (The Flash), Scott Adkins (John Wick: Chapter 4), and Catalina Sandino Moreno (Barbarians).
At the center of this film is the dynamic between Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon, essentially playing the doppelgänger of Carnahan’s friend) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Affleck), who can be seen in these new photos as they work closely together, as partners and as part of a larger team. This casting choice allows the real-life friendship to enhance the on-screen partnership.
Miami Cops Discover Millions in Abandoned Drug House
After a team of Miami cops discovers millions in cash inside a derelict stash house, trust frays as everything – and everyone – is called into question. The basic premise sets up a classic corruption story with modern twists. Starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, The Rip follows a team of Miami cops who have discovered millions in cash in a derelict stash house. Soon, the trust between them begins to erode, especially once outside forces learn about the size of the seizure. Everything is called into question – including who they can rely on.
The story explores themes of loyalty and corruption that have become increasingly relevant in contemporary discussions about police work. In The Rip, the longtime pals will play Miami cops, Lt. Dane Dumars (Damon) and Det Sgt. JD Byrne (Affleck), whose lives take a dramatic turn when their team discovers a stash of millions of dollars in a drug den. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question – including who they can rely on.
Production Wrapped in Los Angeles Despite Miami Setting
Filming has officially begun on the film in Los Angeles, despite the Miami setting of the story. According to reports, The RIP began filming in late 2024, with some of the cast members confirming their segments had wrapped in early December. Filming primarily took place throughout Los Angeles, including Long Beach.
The production process showcased the collaborative spirit that has defined Carnahan’s approach to filmmaking. In early November, Teyana Taylor shared on Instagram some pictures from set with her suited and booted in a Police uniform. The singer-songwriter and actress wrote: Some set selfies til ACTION! @carnojoe you’re already an amazing director but u might also have a bright future in lighting my guy cause why these selfies hitting like thissssss, why we look this gewdddd?!!!
Artists Equity Studio Powers Independent Production
Artists Equity is an American production company founded by actors and filmmakers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in November 2022. The company represents a significant shift in how talent approaches film production and profit participation. Artists Equity, hatched by pals Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and backed by a long-term financial commitment from RedBird Capital billionaire Gerry Cardinale, has a real chance to reshape the tenuous pay landscape in a talent-friendly way. Since Deadline first broke their plans, Affleck and Damon have used their personal relationships and the hard-knock lessons from over 30 years of their Oscar careers to create a sound equity participation formula for those involved in their projects.
Housed in Los Angeles offices with a staff that has swelled past 70 employees working on film, TV, a full-scale ad agency and a lean-in on documentaries, Artists Equity is growing quickly. Affleck is CEO and treats that like a full time job, running it all with Damon’s wife, Luciana. This structure allows for more creative control and profit sharing than traditional studio arrangements.
Netflix Acquisition Following Competitive Bidding
Netflix looks to have landed a big fish before everyone bolts for the Fourth of July holiday. Deadline is hearing that the streamer has landed rights to the crime thriller RIP starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, with Joe Carnahan directing. Deadline first reported the news that the package had hit the market a couple weeks back, and sources indicated it was only a matter of time before someone scooped it up.
The acquisition process moved quickly once both stars committed to the project. Deadline has since heard that Damon was actually first to read the RIP script and was blown away, and quickly got it into the hands of Affleck. Once both Oscar winners were on board, the package hit the market. This rapid development reflects both the quality of the script and the drawing power of the Affleck-Damon collaboration.
Director’s Vision Influenced by Classic Crime Cinema
I’ve always been a big fan of the cop film, Joe Carnahan tells Tudum. The writer and director of upcoming action thriller The Rip also made the movies Narc and Copshop, two films which are very different from one another, with The Rip being a departure from both of those. It’s an extension of that genre, Carnahan explains, with a real-life component, and a very emotional core.
Carnahan’s approach draws from cinema history while adding contemporary elements. It’s inspired in part by his life and then, by my enduring love for those classic ’70’s cop thrillers that really valued the character and interpersonal relationships and became touchstones of that era – films like Serpico and Prince of The City and more recently, Michael Mann’s Heat. His previous work includes acclaimed crime thrillers that demonstrate his understanding of the genre’s requirements.
Two-Hour Runtime Promises Epic Crime Story
Reports suggest Netflix has given Carnahan the time and rating necessary to tell this story properly. The substantial runtime suggests a complex narrative that will delve deep into character development and plot intricacies. The R-rating allows for the realistic portrayal of police work and criminal activity that the story demands.
This duration places The Rip among the longer Netflix original films, indicating the streamer’s confidence in the material and the star power involved. The extended runtime also provides space for the character dynamics between Damon and Affleck’s roles to develop naturally, which appears central to Carnahan’s vision for the film.
Seamless Collaboration Between Director and Stars
Working with Matt and Ben and having two, distinctly talented filmmakers, as both creative allies and the studio heads, wound up being the best of both worlds, Carnahan tells Tudum. I’ve never had as easy an experience on a movie as I had on The Rip. They took exceptionally good care of me and backed my decisions every step of the way.
This collaborative approach reflects the mature partnership that Damon and Affleck have developed over their decades-long careers. You talk about the meta of something, Carnahan says about having Damon and Affleck, who are both producers on The Rip, in these roles, you’ve got these two guys who have both been world-famous for over 30 years with a wonderful sense of friendship and brotherhood. Their real-world relationship enhances the authenticity of their on-screen partnership.
The Rip will release globally on Netflix on January 16, 2026, marking another significant collaboration between two of Hollywood’s most enduring creative partners in what promises to be a gripping exploration of loyalty, corruption, and brotherhood set against the backdrop of Miami’s criminal underworld.