By Ben Wright (@Iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
For a Netflix-backed film, I have to say this is not your usual machine-processed affair. There is something genuinely special about this movie that allows it to rise above the more generic titles Netflix has released over the years. There is no reliance on familiar, overused star power here, and instead, there is a clear focus on quality over quantity, with The Rip feeling like a confident outlier in Netflix’s catalogue.
The story is gripping and consistently tense, and while it avoids cheap shock tactics or overly telegraphed twists, it keeps you engaged by constantly shifting suspicion from one character to another. The mystery unfolds at a measured pace, trusting the audience to stay invested rather than spoon-feeding revelations. This approach works particularly well, as it allows the tension to simmer rather than explode too early.
The characters are impressively well-developed, and you quickly buy into both their individual and shared histories, which makes every interaction feel layered and meaningful. This is a group of people you can root for, but also one that keeps you slightly on edge, as their motivations are never entirely clear. Adding a surprising amount of warmth is Wilbur, the money dog, who thankfully is never placed in danger, allowing animal lovers to watch without anxiety.
Affleck and Damon deliver exactly what you would hope for – strong, assured performances with the kind of natural chemistry that only comes from decades of working together. Their scenes feel effortless, grounded and believable, anchoring the film even as tensions rise. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Steven Yeun, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Teyana Taylor all making the most of their roles and giving the ensemble a real sense of weight and balance.
Joe Carnahan, serving as both director and writer, delivers what is easily his most restrained and effective work to date. While his earlier films have often leaned towards excess, here he shows a welcome sense of control and focus. By scaling things back and allowing the cast space to breathe, he proves that subtlety can be just as powerful as spectacle. The direction is confident, the pacing is tight, and the editing steadily builds tension without ever feeling rushed or overindulgent.
Visually, the film maintains a grounded, gritty tone that suits the material well. The cinematography supports the mood rather than drawing attention to itself, reinforcing the sense of unease that runs throughout the story. The score is similarly understated, enhancing key moments without overwhelming them.
The political and social themes woven into the narrative are thoughtfully explored. Ideas surrounding police corruption, moral compromise and how far people are willing to go when pushed to the margins of society are handled with nuance. These elements never feel forced, instead forming a strong secondary thread that deepens the story and adds weight to the characters’ decisions.
While the film perhaps needed an extra five or ten percent to push it into truly exceptional territory, it comfortably lands as “very good”, which is no small achievement in a crowded streaming landscape. The Rip is a tense, well-acted and intelligently crafted thriller that proves Netflix is still capable of delivering standout cinema when it prioritises substance over formula.
X-Geeks 