TL;DR – This is a film that purposely wades into the murky world of drugs, money, and crooked cops. You will never know when the bullets will start flying, but you know for a certainty that someone is going to be shot before the closing credits.   

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I paid for the Netflix service that screened this film.

The Rip Review Introduction –

Today, we look at a film that is trying to do something different in the streaming space, trying an experiment to re-add residuals back into a system that has systematically ripped them out of the industry. But while the backend mechanics of the film are very fascinating, that doesn’t mean much if the film lacks any substance. That means it is time to have a look and see if it has some depth to it.  

So, to set the scene, we open with Captain Jackie Velez (Lina Esco) of Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) in Miami getting gunned down in a car park. This sends ripples through the force and agitates Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) and Detective Sergeant JD Byrne (Ben Affleck) as Internal Affairs and the Feds are looking at everyone at the TNT. There is money on the line, and where there is money, there is potential for corruption. All the cops in the department are feeling the pinch, but one of their own just got murdered, and no one seems to care. But when the police are tipped off to a massive stash of cash, everyone’s loyalties will be tested, because what if IA is right and one of them is dirty?   

Set-up

For a film that is targeting the dirty underbelly of society and also being coy about where the dirt is lying, you need to ground your world first. Brutally murdering a captain in your opening minutes is a good way to accomplish that. Add to that a full-time investigation that casts everyone in a poor light, which is the perfect way of putting the mistrust in every direction. You know someone is dirty, but who, and who are they working for, and is it just one group at play? The film lets you sit and wallow in the indecision for a long time, waiting for that first bullet to fly. I loved this opening setup, how the camera lingers in places where you suspect a blood splatter might appear in a moment’s time. It lets you get to know the cast, and also suspect each and every one of them before things start hitting the fan.

Cast

The Rip is the type of film that lives and dies on the casting because you need to care for everyone in the movie, while still not being sure who among them is dirty. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck could almost feel like stunt casting at this point, but it works. You have to believe that they have a lifelong connection for the film to work, and you don’t need to fake it with them. There is also a tension there that plays better than other similar casting choices, like Wolfs. A superb supporting cast then surrounds them, all bringing something a little different to the film, which gives it that little bit more depth that it probably wouldn’t have had otherwise. I did love the banter and energy between Teyana Taylor and Catalina Sandino Moreno, which was desperately needed. However, you have Scott Adkins, let the man throw down more than once in the film.

Production

This is a solidly produced film, with much of the work taking place in a single location, which does help sell the idea that this is all taking place over one night. The Rip is a film that is trying to be both grounded and full of heightened emotions, which is a very narrow vibe to walk, but they make it work. Part of that comes from the way they built and dressed the house they are working in for most of the film. It feels like a real house with a generation of memories and phone books. But then this is all heightened by design choices like having a serious conversation interrupted by a spray of dirt coming from the ceiling. Like each swing of a sledgehammer was taking us closer to conflict. There is not as much action as you would expect in a film like this, but it is all solidly produced, with the run-and-gun through the streets being the highlight for me.         

Narrative

The narrative of the film might be the most challenging part to parse as you go through because it is a bit of a mess, intentionally. From the opening of the film, you are placed in a situation where everyone is potentially distrustful, and there are likely unreliable narrators everywhere. There is no anchor to get a foundation, even after the bullets start flying. I will say that I think you will either love or hate the pacing of this film. I am in the first camp, but I could easily see people falling in the latter. So much of the film is marinating in the ‘what if’. What if we took the money for ourselves? What if one of us is a snitch? What if you can’t trust your brother? It is these questions, and more, that the film takes its time answering. You will either be carried along for the ride or left in the dust.     

Recommendation

In the end, do we recommend The Rip? Yes, we would recommend The Rip. I am not sure this will be a film for everyone; the pacing could throw you off, or maybe the tone they establish in that first precinct sequence. However, the cast is bringing their A-game, the question of who is dirty is compelling, and it expertly manipulates tension at every turn. Just don’t have a drinking game around every time they say the name of the film, because you will not be on speaking terms with your liver afterwards.   

Have you watched The Rip? Let us know what you thought in the comments below. If you liked The Rip, we would recommend Black Bag to you because it also plays with your understanding as to who is guilty, and who is the reliable narrator, with a cast that supports the chaos.  

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Bluesky at @Tldrmovrev, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

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Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of The Rip
Directed by – Joe Carnahan
Story by – Joe Carnahan
Screenplay by – Joe Carnahan & Michael McGrale
Music by – Clinton Shorter
Cinematography by – Juan Miguel Azpiroz
Edited by – Kevin Hale
Production/Distribution Companies – Artists Equity & Netflix
Starring – Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins & Kyle Chandler
With – Néstor Carbonell, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Lina Esco, Cliff Chamberlain, Alex Hernandez, Daisuke Tsuji & Wilbur the Dog
Rating – Australia: MA15+;