Introduction
Netflix's new crime-thriller "The Rip"—often searched as "RIP movie" due to how the title appeared in early coverage—has started streaming globally and is already drawing attention in India for two reasons: the Matt Damon–Ben Affleck reunion and the film's real-world inspiration rooted in a Miami narcotics case.
At the same time, the movie has a rare "industry story" attached to it: reports say Netflix agreed to a performance-based bonus structure for the film's large crew—an approach that could influence how future big-streaming movies get financed and compensated.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The film premiered on Netflix on January 16, 2026, with simultaneous global availability.
- India release time was 12:30 PM IST on January 16, 2026 (aligned with Netflix's global drop timing).
- The movie is loosely inspired by a real 2016 Miami-Dade police raid where officers discovered about $24 million in cash.
- Matt Damon stars as Lieutenant Dane Dumars while Ben Affleck plays Detective Sergeant JD Byrne—marking their eleventh collaboration.
- Director Joe Carnahan (known for Narc and Copshop) brings his signature gritty crime-thriller style.
- Netflix reportedly agreed to a performance-based bonus for about 1,200 crew members if the film meets benchmarks within 90 days.
- This is a Netflix-exclusive release—no theatrical run highlighted in mainstream streaming guides.
The Rip (RIP) Movie: Quick Facts
As of reporting published on January 16, 2026, Netflix's official title page and multiple entertainment outlets confirm the following details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Rip (also referred to as "RIP" in some listings) |
| Platform | Netflix (exclusive) |
| Release Date (Streaming) | January 16, 2026 |
| India Release Time (IST) | 12:30 PM on January 16, 2026 |
| Genre | Crime / Drama / Action |
| Rating | R (for violence and pervasive language) |
| Runtime | 2h 13m (133 minutes) |
| Director | Joe Carnahan |
| Production | Artists Equity (Damon & Affleck's banner) |
| Theatrical Release | None confirmed—Netflix exclusive |
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OTT Release Confirmed: Date, Time, and Where to Watch in India
The Rip is streaming on Netflix from January 16, 2026. Netflix's official title page lists the film as a 2026 release and positions it as a gritty thriller led by Damon and Affleck.
For viewers in India, multiple outlets that track Netflix drop timings list the release as 12:30 PM IST on January 16, 2026 (because Netflix typically releases at 12:00 AM PT / 3:00 AM ET worldwide).
Also important: this is a Netflix-first release (no planned theatrical run highlighted in mainstream streaming guides), which matches how Netflix has been treating many of its star-driven action thrillers.
What The Rip Is About (Spoiler-Free)
In Netflix's own logline, The Rip follows a Miami police team whose trust collapses after they find millions in cash inside a run-down stash house—putting everyone under pressure as outside forces close in.
Several entertainment explainers add one key tension point that shapes the movie's pacing: the cops must count the seized cash on-site, which turns a "successful raid" into a pressure-cooker situation where time, fear, and temptation all rise together.
The title explained: A mainstream true-story explainer notes "the rip" is police slang tied to confiscation/seizure context—making the title feel less abstract once you know the background. In Miami cop parlance, "ripping" means taking the bad guy's stuff, and the confiscation itself is known as "the rip."
Cast & Crew: Who's In It
Netflix lists the top billing as Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Steven Yeun, with a wider ensemble that includes Teyana Taylor, Kyle Chandler, Scott Adkins, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Néstor Carbonell, and Lina Esco, among others.
| Actor | Character | Role Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Damon | Lieutenant Dane Dumars | Lead—heads the Tactical Narcotics Team |
| Ben Affleck | Detective Sergeant JD Byrne | Lead—Dumars' partner and longtime ally |
| Steven Yeun | Detective Mike Ro | Key ensemble member |
| Teyana Taylor | Detective Numa Baptiste | Golden Globe winner in supporting role |
| Kyle Chandler | Supporting role | Adds veteran presence |
| Sasha Calle | Supporting role | Part of the ensemble |
| Scott Adkins | Supporting role | Action-heavy presence |
Director: Joe Carnahan (known for crime/action filmmaking including Narc and Copshop)
Production: The film is tied to Damon and Affleck's artist-led banner Artists Equity, which has been part of the conversation around pay structures on streaming projects.
Is The Rip Based on a True Story? What's Real vs Fictional
Yes—but loosely, and that nuance matters.
Major reporting (including a detailed explainer from TIME) says the film draws inspiration from a 2016 Miami-Dade police raid where officers discovered a massive cache—reported as $24 million—hidden in a home (including cash stored in buckets in an attic).
The same reporting identifies Miami police officer Chris Casiano as a key real-life figure connected to the story's origin, and notes the film took on added emotional weight after the death of Casiano's son, Jake William Casiano, in 2021—an element that influenced how the movie's grief angle was written.
| Element | Real | Fictional/Dramatized |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Miami-Dade raid | ✓ Yes | — |
| $24 million cash discovery | ✓ Yes (reported amount) | — |
| Chris Casiano connection | ✓ Yes (story inspiration) | — |
| Jake William Casiano dedication | ✓ Yes | — |
| Specific character names | — | ✓ Dramatized |
| Plot events and twists | — | ✓ Dramatized for thriller structure |
What to take away as a viewer: The cash-seizure premise has real roots, while the film's specific characters and many plot events are dramatized for a thriller structure.
Where Was The Rip Filmed?
Even though the story is set in Miami, a location breakdown reports the production filmed largely outside Miami, with substantial work done in New Jersey and Los Angeles, dressed to match the film's grittier version of the city.
This explains why the movie leans less on postcard Miami visuals and more on contained, tense interiors—the setting supports a "pressure cooker" thriller design rather than a tourism-friendly backdrop.
Production timeline: Principal photography began on October 3, 2024, in Los Angeles, and wrapped around December 11. Additional scenes were shot in New Jersey in November.
Reviews Snapshot: Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and Early Chatter
Because The Rip just released, numbers can move quickly—but here's what major aggregators showed around release week:
| Platform | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | ~89% approval (35 reviews) | Updates dynamically as new reviews come in |
| Metacritic | "Generally favorable" band | Strong craft, familiar genre DNA noted |
| Runtime Confirmed | 2h 13m | Consistent across platforms |
If you're deciding whether it's "your type" of watch, the safest, most factual read is this: critics broadly frame it as a tight, paranoid cop-thriller that doesn't reinvent the genre, but benefits from star power and Carnahan's tempo for tension.
Early audience reactions on social media: One X user wrote, "#TheRip was good action thriller film crazy couple of violence scenes really enjoyed it Joe Carnahan directing is great solid performances by Matt Damon Ben Affleck Steven Yeun Teyana Taylor Sasha Calle." Another added, "Watched The Rip with zero expectations ended up loving it. Dark action, sharp twists, strong story & beautiful lighting."
Why The Rip Matters for Streaming Economics (The Netflix Bonus Experiment)
This is the angle most "release date" articles miss, but it's the part industry watchers care about.
Multiple reports say Damon and Affleck helped negotiate a deal where eligible bonuses could go to the people who worked on the film—reported as about 1,200 contributors/crew members—if the movie meets performance expectations on Netflix, evaluated over a stated window (reported as the first 90 days).
Why this is notable: Streaming platforms have often leaned toward upfront buyouts rather than the older Hollywood model of back-end participation. The reporting frames The Rip as a high-profile test of whether a major streamer will make space for performance-linked payouts at scale—especially for crew, not just top talent.
For readers in India, this matters because the same global streaming economics shape what gets greenlit, how quickly big films appear day-and-date worldwide, and whether mid-budget genre movies keep getting made for OTT rather than theatres.
Budget context: A recent The New York Times piece put the budget for "The Rip" at around $100 million in total expenses, making it a significant investment for Netflix and Artists Equity's unique deal.
What It Means for Indian Viewers (and Netflix's Pan-India Play)
Netflix is doubling down on a simple idea: a star-led, English-language thriller can travel instantly when the release is global and the pitch is clear ("one night, one stash house, nobody trusts anyone"). The Rip fits neatly into that strategy and arrives in India at the same time window as the US drop.
Netflix is packaging the film like a "platform event" with multiple trailer assets (teaser, teaser 2, full trailer) sitting right on the official title page—designed for quick discovery and fast click-through.
A small but real "search culture" note: The movie trends under both "The Rip" and "RIP movie" phrasing across entertainment listings and update-style blogs—so it's normal if you see the title written both ways while looking it up.
Language options: While primarily shot in English, Netflix typically provides multiple dubbed versions and subtitles for international markets including India, making the content accessible to diverse Indian viewers.
FAQs (People Also Ask + Trending Searches)
What is the OTT release date of The Rip (RIP) movie?
The Rip began streaming on Netflix on January 16, 2026.
What time did The Rip release in India?
Streaming guides list 12:30 PM IST on January 16, 2026 (aligned with Netflix's global release timing).
Is The Rip available in theatres?
Major streaming explainers describe it as exclusive to Netflix, with no theatrical release emphasized in release-week guides.
Is The Rip based on a true story?
It is loosely inspired by a real Miami-Dade case, including a reported 2016 raid where police found about $24 million in cash.
Who is Jake William Casiano mentioned in connection with the film?
Reporting connects the film's dedication and parts of its emotional arc to Jake William Casiano, the late son of officer Chris Casiano (who is tied to the story's inspiration).
What is The Rip runtime?
The runtime is listed as 2h 13m (133 minutes) on major film databases including Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
What is The Rip about?
It's a crime thriller about Miami cops who find millions in cash in a stash house, and the discovery triggers paranoia, pressure, and outside threats. The cops must count the money on-site, turning a successful raid into a tense standoff.
Why are people calling it "RIP movie"?
Some coverage and listings used "RIP" when discussing the project, and that wording stayed in search queries even as Netflix markets it primarily as The Rip.
How many movies have Matt Damon and Ben Affleck made together?
The Rip marks their eleventh collaboration, continuing a partnership that spans nearly three decades since Good Will Hunting.
What is Artists Equity?
Artists Equity is the artist-led studio that Damon and Affleck founded in 2022. It focuses on giving creative talent more control and participation in projects, including the performance-bonus structure used for The Rip.
Special Ratings & Breakdown
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lead Performances (Damon & Affleck) | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| Direction (Joe Carnahan) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Screenplay & Story | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Cinematography | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Tension & Pacing | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| Ensemble Cast | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall Entertainment | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Conclusion: What to Expect
The Rip has landed as a classic OTT-friendly package: a high-concept thriller, a major star pairing, and a "one-night chaos" structure that suits at-home viewing. Netflix's own positioning leans hard into grit, suspicion, and moral pressure—exactly what draws weekend viewers to crime dramas.
The bigger story to watch over the coming weeks is the performance-bonus experiment tied to the film. If the movie performs strongly, the reported crew-bonus model could become a template—or at least a bargaining reference—for other large streaming projects.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Recommended for: Fans of crime thrillers, cop dramas, buddy movies, and anyone who enjoys morally complex storytelling with high-stakes tension.
Why You Should Watch The Rip
- Features the Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunion fans have been waiting for—their eleventh collaboration.
- Based on a real Miami police case with $24 million at stake.
- Directed by Joe Carnahan, known for gritty crime thrillers like Narc and Copshop.
- Available day-and-date globally on Netflix—no waiting for India release.
- Explores themes of trust, temptation, and moral compromise in a pressure-cooker setting.
- Strong ensemble cast including Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor.
- Tight 2h 13m runtime that maintains tension throughout.
- Part of a groundbreaking performance-bonus experiment that could reshape streaming economics.
