- Director: Joe Carnahan
- Screenplay: Joe Carnahan
- Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler
- Cinematography: Juan Miguel Azpiroz
- Editing: Kevin Hale
- Score: Clinton Shorter
- Genre: Action thriller
- Runtime: 113 minutes
The Miami-Dade Police Department’s Tactical Narcotics Team receive a tip-off of a stash house: a property used for the storage of illegal goods – in this case, $20 million hidden behind a wall in the attic of a suburban home. The team; Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon), Detective Sergeant JD Byrne (Ben Affleck) and three detectives (played by Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor and Catalina Sandino Moreno) conduct a ‘rip’, a seizure of said assets.
Dumars (Matt Damon) starts acting erratic; confiscating everyone’s cellphones, not notifying his superiors. When he first got the tip, he gave his colleagues conflicting answers whenever they inquired as to the amount of money stashed. What’s he up to? Is he scheming to take a large chunk for himself?
The head honchos at Netflix would abscond with the cash, undoubtedly, so they can continue operating their conveyor belt of glossy yet hollow projects. How much dosh did they need to sway stars (and producers) Damon and Affleck into their fold?
The cops are the good guys, right? Working in law enforcement is a thankless job; mistreated by members of the public, constantly in danger of death on the front line. Could you honestly blame them for ‘earning’ a little on the side?
Twisty and confusing (in parts), ‘The Rip’ is watchable if nothing special. The use of lighting is superb however. The abode the raid occurs in is in an eerily quiet cul-de-sac, and as the squad’s mission takes place after hours, streetlights provide the source of illumination. An atmosphere of unease is created – both on the street and inside the garage where the dollars are counted, green light seeping through the windows.
My rating: 5 / 10
SilverScreen 