Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite on-screen for 'The Rip,' a new action-thriller that premiered globally on Netflix on January 16, 2026. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film features Damon as Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Affleck as Detective Sergeant JD Byrne, leading a Miami Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT). The plot intensifies when the squad uncovers a staggering $20 million in drug money during a raid on a stash house, leading to a tense moral dilemma and fracturing trust within the team as external threats loom. The film also features a notable supporting cast including Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, and Kyle Chandler. While the original Collider headline, 'Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Phone it In for Netflix's By-the-Book Cop Thriller,' suggested a lackluster effort, a broader look at critical reception indicates a more positive outlook. 'The Rip' currently holds an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 35 critics, and a 'generally favorable' score of 66 out of 100 on Metacritic. Many reviews, including Roger Ebert's, praised Damon and Affleck's performances and chemistry, describing the film as a solid, old-school actioner that stands above many streaming originals. Critics acknowledge the film might be 'by-the-book' in its genre but still deliver engaging suspense and strong character work. Collider's own review, despite its headline, gave the film a 'mild recommendation,' noting a fun supporting cast that enhances an otherwise standard action-drama. Therefore, the headline's claim of the actors 'phoning it in' is largely an exaggeration, as the film is widely considered an effective and entertaining thriller.