Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Reunite in Gritty First Trailer for Netflix’s ‘The Rip’

A Powerhouse Reunion on the Small Screen

The cinematic bond between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon is one of the most enduring and celebrated partnerships in Hollywood history. From their Oscar-winning breakout with Good Will Hunting to their recent corporate drama Air, the duo has consistently demonstrated a unique onscreen shorthand. Today, Netflix sent shockwaves through the industry by releasing the first official trailer for The Rip, a gritty crime thriller that sees the longtime collaborators stepping into a much darker, more visceral world than their recent projects.

Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film marks a significant departure from the lighter fare the pair has occasionally explored. The Rip is a high-intensity exploration of loyalty, corruption, and the thin line between justice and criminality. The trailer, which clocks in at just over two minutes, establishes a somber and electric atmosphere, promising a film that prioritizes character depth as much as it does heart-pounding action.

Inspired by Harrowing True Events

While the trailer offers a pulse-pounding look at the film's action sequences, it is the underlying narrative that has critics buzzing. The Rip is inspired by true events involving a violent and complex clash between a specialized police task force and a ruthless criminal organization. By grounding the script in reality, Carnahan and his stars aim to deliver a level of authenticity often missing from standard genre entries.

The story follows two veteran officers, played by Affleck and Damon, who find themselves caught in the crossfire of a botched sting operation. As the situation spirals out of control, they must navigate a web of internal betrayal and external threats. The real-world inspiration provides a haunting backdrop to the film's central conflict, suggesting that the consequences for the characters will be permanent and devastating.

The Joe Carnahan Touch

Joe Carnahan is no stranger to the world of gritty, high-stakes storytelling. The director first gained major acclaim with Narc, a film that redefined the modern police procedural with its raw energy and moral ambiguity. He followed that success with the survival thriller The Grey and the explosive Smokin' Aces. His involvement in The Rip signals a return to the hard-boiled aesthetics that defined his early career.

In The Rip, Carnahan’s signature style is on full display. The trailer features kinetic camera work, a muted color palette that evokes a sense of urban decay, and the kind of sharp, rhythmic dialogue that has become his trademark. For Affleck and Damon, working under Carnahan represents a new challenge, pushing them into a more physical and emotionally taxing territory than their previous collaborations.

A Legacy of Collaboration

The history of Affleck and Damon is well-documented, but The Rip feels like a pivotal moment in their shared filmography. While they have appeared in numerous films together, including Dogma, The Last Duel, and the Ocean's franchise, this project feels like a spiritual successor to the Boston-centric crime dramas that helped define their early careers. However, instead of the neighborhood streets of their youth, they are now portraying men seasoned by years of service and the weariness that comes with it.

• Good Will Hunting (1997): The film that started it all, winning them an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
• The Last Duel (2021): A sprawling historical epic that showcased their ability to handle complex, period-accurate drama.
• Air (2023): A lighter, dialogue-driven look at the birth of the Air Jordan brand.
• The Rip (2026): Their latest venture, focusing on the dark underbelly of law enforcement.

Release Date and Streaming Strategy

Netflix has confirmed that The Rip will be available to stream globally later this month. This rapid turnaround from trailer to release is part of the streaming giant's strategy to maintain momentum for its high-profile original content. By securing two of the biggest stars in the world for a genre-bending thriller, Netflix is positioning The Rip as its premier cinematic event of the season.

Early reactions to the trailer suggest that the film could be a major contender during the upcoming awards circuit, particularly in technical categories and for the lead performances. As the countdown to the premiere begins, fans are eager to see if the Affleck-Damon magic can once again elevate a crime story into something truly unforgettable. With Carnahan at the helm and a true story as its foundation, The Rip looks poised to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.