‘Masterpiece’ thriller starring ‘iconic duo’ to be released on Netflix | Films | Entertainment

Netflix has unveiled the first look at The Rip, a high-stakes crime thriller that reunites Hollywood powerhouses Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The film, directed by Joe Carnahan, is set to premiere on January 16, 2026, and is already being hailed by fans as a “masterpiece.”

Set in Miami, the story follows a specialist police squad tasked with uncovering hidden stashes of cash that criminals would rather keep buried. What begins as routine work spirals into danger when the team uncovers an unusually large haul, tens of millions of dollars rather than the thousands they expected. The discovery sets off a tense battle of greed, corruption, and survival.

The project marks a major reunion for Affleck and Damon, whose creative partnership dates back nearly three decades to their Oscar-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting.

Since then, the pair have mostly pursued separate careers, occasionally collaborating on projects such as The Last Duel and the sports drama Air.

The chance to see them share the screen once more has sparked huge anticipation online. One fan described The Rip as “the Affleck-Damon thriller we’ve been waiting for”, while another called it “a masterpiece in the making.”

Entertainment critics have also been quick to praise the casting coup. HELLO!’s writer Nicky Morris said: “Time and time again, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have proved themselves to be an outstanding team both in front of and behind the camera.

“From the Oscar-winning drama Good Will Hunting to the more recent sports biopic Air, the pair have collaborated on some memorable projects, and The Rip looks like another hit in the making.”

Netflix teased the film with a brief trailer and first-look stills showing Damon and Affleck in uniform, hinting at the gritty, adrenaline-fuelled drama to come.

With Carnahan’s reputation for stylish, sharp-edged thrillers and the duo’s proven on-screen chemistry, expectations are sky-high.

As the streamer positions itself for another blockbuster year of original films, The Rip looks set to be one of its flagship releases, blending crime, action, and star power in a way only Damon and Affleck can deliver.

The Rip launches globally on Netflix on 16 January 2026.