Light spoilers follow for The RIP.
As a fan of films featuring both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, I was excited to see them together again. Their previous collaborations, such as Good Will Hunting, Dogma, and Air, have a unique charm that’s hard to replicate.
When the first trailer for The RIP dropped in late 2025, I was intrigued. This crime thriller, featuring a talented cast and a seemingly complex plot, appeared to have all the makings of Netflix's next big hit.
While the film is enjoyable, The RIP ultimately falls short of greatness. It’s engaging but lacks the originality and shocking storytelling needed to distinguish it from other films in the genre.
Are we the good guys?
Inspired by true events, The RIP follows Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) and Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Affleck), who lead a crime-fighting task force known as the Tactical Narcotics Team (T.N.T) in Miami, Florida.
When they receive an anonymous tip about a stash house, Dane gathers his team—J.D., Mike Ro (Steven Yeun), Numa Baptiste (Teyana Taylor), and Lolo Salazar (Catalina Sandino Moreno)—to investigate. They discover a staggering $20 million hidden in the attic of a property owned by the nervous Desi (Sasha Calle).
The suspicious nature displayed by each character is what'll keep you engaged.
Given the size of the haul, tensions rise as the team debates whether to report it or keep the money for themselves. As outside forces—including the DEA, a local cartel, and another mysterious faction—become aware of their find, Dane, J.D., and their team must navigate trust issues and survival.
So, is The RIP just another exploration of corruption within law enforcement? Yes, but the film keeps you engaged with its characters' dubious motivations throughout its nearly two-hour runtime.
The RIP's unexpected turn... will surprise some viewers, but I expected more from it.
However, the film struggles to maintain momentum, particularly in establishing Dane as the officer behind the suggestion to steal the money. While the trailers hint at this twist, the film could have benefited from a deeper exploration of the other T.N.T. members' motives much earlier on.
Similar genre films like Prisoners, Memento, and Gone Girl keep audiences guessing until the end. Unfortunately, The RIP fails to build the necessary tension for its big reveal, leaving some viewers surprised but others wanting more.
Acting on impulse
Despite its storytelling shortcomings, the performances of the star-studded cast shine. Damon and Affleck's chemistry is as captivating as ever, making their characters' bond feel authentic. They navigate the film's tension with ease, even as their characters clash with superiors and each other.
Damon and Affleck's on-screen chemistry shines as bright as ever.
Supporting actors like Yeun and Calle deliver strong performances, though some characters, including Moreno and Taylor, feel underutilized as the plot unfolds.
Additionally, the film could have explored the dynamics within the ensemble more thoroughly, enhancing the tension and drama as mistrust grows among the team.
While The RIP examines the relationship between Dane and J.D., it spends more time on J.D.'s complicated bond with his FBI brother Del (Scott Adkins), which may not resonate with all viewers.
If you're looking for action alongside your crime drama, The RIP might disappoint. The first significant action sequence doesn’t occur until an hour in, and while the scenes are thrilling, they lack the chaos and intensity one might expect.
My verdict
In conclusion, The RIP feels like a star-driven film designed for the Netflix audience. It’s a safe, forgettable movie that viewers may enjoy while scrolling through their next recommendations.
While it’s not the worst film available on the platform—far from it—my expectations for this latest Damon/Affleck collaboration were high, and ultimately, it just didn’t resonate with me, which feels like a missed opportunity.
The RIP launches worldwide on Netflix on Friday, January 16.