The Rip review: One of Joe Carnahan's best movies

The golden age of the crime genre in Hollywood cinema spanned several stages. During this period, numerous cult films appeared on the big screen, romanticizing not only criminals but, of course, law enforcement officers as well. The police thriller The Rip evokes a bygone era, immediately evoking images of Training Day and Street Kings. And the pairing of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon sets high expectations even before viewing. But what lies behind the cover? Find out more in this spoiler-free review.

Let's start with the fact that, although the trailer is traditionally attached at the beginning of this material, I, the author of these lines, would not recommend watching it, as it contains some, albeit minor, but still spoilers that will negatively affect the overall impression of the plot twists.

Events begin with the murder of Miami police Captain Jackie Velez, who led the Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT). The FBI launches an investigation, suspecting that Jackie and someone on the team may have embezzled criminal proceeds and thereby sparked internal conflict.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon), who has replaced Jackie, receives a message with the address of a house containing a cartel stash. Without informing his superiors, the entire TNT sets out to retrieve the money.

The entire team is under suspicion, trust is undermined, as anyone could turn traitor and try to pocket the hefty sum. What's more, it's possible that cops from other units will try to snatch a piece of the action. The heroes are in for a long night, especially considering that the cartel is about to join this police "party."

Despite the premise, which hints at a Carnahan-style action sequence, the film is hardly an action film. The Rip is a small-scale thriller, with some shooting and chases, but all of this takes up about 15 minutes of the two-hour running time.

The gunfights sound good and look good against the backdrop of Miami's nighttime backdrop, but some moments suffer from the notorious shaky camera; there are also sequences that can be questioned in terms of realism. So don't expect too much from the fight scenes. However, the final showdown looks good, and it's impressive with its brutal denouement.

The film's core appeal lies in its plot intrigue. Carnahan's script and direction are structured in such a way that every major and minor character falls under suspicion. The background of each of them gradually reveals possible motives, giving the audience something to ponder. The characters are in their right places, and their every action could, at any moment, resolve this puzzle.

It's worth emphasizing: the cast is perfectly chosen, which isn't something that can be said about many Netflix projects. Longtime friends Affleck and Damon are convincing as detectives who have been through much together over their long careers. Nevertheless, there's no doubt that each of them is playing their own game.

The Walking Dead star Steven Yeun fits the picture perfectly. His portrayal of Detective Mike Ro occasionally takes center stage, trying, like the viewer, to understand the situation. But crucially, he never leaves the pool of suspects.

The film's distinct detective element is meticulously crafted. Rewatching it, you'll notice some interesting details in the characters' behavior, which become more apparent once you know all the answers.

I'd also like to highlight the stunning cinematography by Juan Miguel Azpiroz, who masterfully builds suspense with slow-moving shots and emphasizes the atmosphere of confusion by showing characters hidden in the shadows. Clinton Shorter's soundtrack maintains this tension, but little else. The music in the film serves primarily as background music, not distracting from the events unfolding.

The Rip is a superb detective thriller by Joe Carnahan, whose setting is somewhat reminiscent of the directorial and screenplay work of David Ayer. The film is incredibly gripping, and the suspense remains constant until the final credits roll. What do you think? If you've already seen it, share your thoughts and impressions in the comments. If not, let me know if you're interested in the film or if you should skip it.