Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are two of my favorite actors; as a result, I have followed their careers since they co-wrote the screenplay “Good Will Hunting” (1997), for which they both received an Academy Award for writing the screenplay. Their exceptional talent was recognized when they both won an Academy Award for their work, a true testament to their creativity and collaboration. It’s no wonder that I wouldn’t be interested in their last film venture in which they both star.
Writer/director Joe Carnahan’s action police thriller, “The Rip,” stars both Affleck and Damon as Miami police officers. Unfortunately, mistrust among the Miami police leaves them in a dangerous situation, as no one can be trusted. The film begins on a somber note, their Captain, Jackie Velez, is murdered, and suspicion falls on her specialized unit, the Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT), with rumors of unethical cops robbing drug houses. Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Affleck) receive an anonymous tip about a home with an illegal stockpile of cash.
It should be noted that the true story of Miami-Dade County Sheriff Chris Casiano inspires the film. “The Pit” recreates the events of a group of police officers who, during a raid on a hidden cash operation, find their trust broken due to team members suspecting each other of trying to steal large sums of cash.
When Damon, Lieutenant Dane Dumars, and Affleck, Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne, arrive at the house in Hialeah, FL, Desi Molina, hey are reluctantly welcomed inside by the late homeowner’s granddaughter, played by Sasha Calle, grudgingly lets the duo inside. They soon discover $20 million in drug cartel cash hidden in the attic. Dumars, recognizing the high risks associated with confiscating such a large sum of money, Dumars decides to defy standard protocol by not notifying a superior. He also confiscates the team’s phones, though Ro (Steven Yeun, Detective Mike Ro) secretly uses a burner phone to communicate.
Ro is portrayed as a dedicated yet disillusioned officer caught between conflicting loyalties. Later revealed as a mole, he conspires with DEA Agent Matty Nix to steal drug money. His role as an undercover agent infiltrates the criminal organization to gather intelligence, build trust, and expose illicit activities, highlighting his bravery and strategic thinking.
Ro has been quoted as saying in Time Magazine, “In order to break into that unit, the backstory that we gave him was he probably had to be an excellent officer,” Yeun told Netflix. “But then he also sees this squeezed ceiling; the department’s getting gutted, money’s running out. As he plays his role as an officer, he’s also becoming disillusioned,” Which makes his internal conflict more relatable and evokes empathy from viewers. All of these factors make him susceptible to the temptation of the, rip.
Ro is portrayed as a dedicated yet disillusioned officer caught between conflicting loyalties. He is later revealed to be a mole, conspiring with DEA Agent Matty Nix to steal the drug money. Here Ro as an undercover agent, infiltrates the criminal organization to gather intelligence, build trust, and expose illicit activities.
Ro has been quoted as saying in Time Magazine, “In order to break into that unit, the backstory that we gave him was he probably had to be an excellent officer,” Yeun told Netflix. “But then he also sees this squeezed ceiling; the department’s getting gutted, money’s running out. And I think as he’s playing out this role as an officer, he’s also becoming disillusioned.”
As I mentioned earlier, I’m a fan of both Damon and Affleck, and found the film engaging, yet parts of it were somewhat confusing to watch. I can recommend checking it out because their chemistry is always a treat to watch, which might inspire viewers to pay more attention to their performances in the future.
Sarah Knight Adamson© February 1, 2026
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