They’re back. Honestly, did we ever think they wouldn’t be? Seeing a Ben Affleck movie Matt Damon project hit the top of the charts feels like a return to a natural law of physics. We’ve watched them win Oscars as kids, play fallen angels in Dogma, and more recently, reconstruct the history of a sneaker in Air.
But their latest Netflix collaboration, The Rip, which just dropped on January 16, 2026, feels different. It’s grittier. Dirtier. It’s also the most significant test yet for their production company, Artists Equity.
Most people think these two just show up, trade some Boston-accented banter, and collect a paycheck. That's not what happened here. With The Rip, they’ve basically bet their reputation on a new way of doing business in Hollywood while delivering a 113-minute adrenaline shot that proves they’re still the best duo in the game.
What is The Rip Actually About?
Forget the polished, neon-soaked Miami you see in Bad Boys. Directed by Joe Carnahan—the guy who gave us Smokin' Aces and The Grey—this is a "sweaty" movie. It’s set in the industrial backlots and claustrophobic suburban homes of Miami-Dade.
The plot is simple enough to work but complex enough to keep you guessing. After their captain (Jackie Velez) is murdered, a tactical narcotics unit led by Lt. Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) and Det. Sgt. J.D. Byrne (Ben Affleck) hits a rundown stash house. They’re expecting a modest haul. Instead, they find $24 million stuffed into Home Depot buckets.
What happens next isn't a chase; it's a fracture.
The movie turns into a pressure cooker as the team—which includes Teyana Taylor, Steven Yeun, and Sasha Calle—debates whether to report the cash or "take a taste." It’s inspired by the real-life 1980s Miami River Cops scandal and a specific 2016 bust where over $20 million was found behind a secret wall.
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Why the "Ben Affleck Movie Matt Damon" Bromance Works in 2026
You’ve seen them be friends on screen before. In The Rip, they aren't exactly friends.
There is a palpable tension between Dumars and Byrne. Damon plays Dumars with a weary, moral exhaustion, while Affleck’s Byrne is a ticking time bomb of financial desperation. Watching them scream expletives at each other in a suburban cul-de-sac is peak cinema. It works because we know their real-life history. When Affleck’s character looks at Damon’s and says, "I know you better than you know yourself," the audience feels the weight of thirty years of friendship.
The Secret Industry Shake-up Nobody Is Talking About
This isn't just another Netflix original.
For years, Netflix has operated on a "cost-plus" model. They pay you a big fee upfront, and they own everything. No residuals. No bonuses if the movie is a massive hit. Ben and Matt hated that.
Through their company, Artists Equity, they forced Netflix to change the rules for The Rip. They negotiated a deal where everyone—from the A-list stars to the roughly 1,200 crew members—gets a performance-based bonus. If you’re a grip or a craft services worker on a Ben Affleck movie Matt Damon set in 2026, you actually have a stake in the movie’s success.
It’s a revolutionary move. It treats film production like a startup where everyone has equity.
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The Confusion Surrounding "Animals"
If you’ve been following the trades, you might be confused about a project called Animals.
Back in early 2024, it was announced that Affleck would direct Damon in a kidnapping thriller. Then things got weird. Damon signed on for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (set for a July 2026 release), which created a massive scheduling conflict.
As of right now:
- The Rip is the movie you can watch today. It stars both of them.
- Animals has shifted. Affleck ended up taking the lead role himself alongside Kerry Washington.
- Damon is still a producer on Animals, but he isn't on screen.
So, if you’re looking for the "new movie" where they are actually together, The Rip is your only destination for 2026.
A Legacy Beyond Good Will Hunting
We often forget how many times these two have shared the screen. It’s more than a dozen if you count the weird cameos.
From being uncredited extras in Field of Dreams to the medieval grit of The Last Duel, their evolution is fascinating. In the 90s, they were the "golden boys." In the 2000s, they were the guys who occasionally showed up in Kevin Smith movies like Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
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Now, in 2026, they are the "elder statesmen" of the mid-budget thriller. They are making the kind of movies Hollywood stopped making: adult-oriented, R-rated stories that don’t involve capes or multiverses.
How to Watch and What to Expect
The Rip is currently streaming on Netflix. If you’re planning a watch party, here’s the reality: it’s not a "fun" movie. It’s intense.
The cinematography by Juan Miguel Azpiroz is grainy and handheld. The score by Clinton Shorter is minimalist and jarring. It’s a throwback to 70s grit—think Serpico or Prince of the City.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Look for the details: The film is dedicated to Jake Casiano, the son of the real-life narcotics officer who inspired the story.
- Check the supporting cast: Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor arguably steal every scene they are in. Don't just focus on the big two.
- Support the model: If you like this movie, watch it on the official platform. The crew’s bonuses literally depend on the streaming numbers this month.
The era of the "movie star" might be fading for some, but the Ben Affleck movie Matt Damon brand is actually getting stronger. They’ve moved past being just actors; they are now the architects of a fairer Hollywood.
If you want to see how the industry is changing while watching a high-stakes heist go horribly wrong, queue up The Rip. It’s the most honest work they’ve done in a decade.
Next Steps:
Go to your Netflix search bar and type in "The Rip." Make sure you have a solid sound system or good headphones; the sound design in the stash house scenes is incredible. After watching, look up the Artists Equity website to see their upcoming 2026-2027 slate, which includes more profit-sharing projects like Unstoppable and The Instigators 2.