At a Glance
- Lina Esco says she and Ben Affleck laughed through intimate scenes in Netflix thriller The Rip
- The pair play Miami detectives in the gritty crime drama now streaming
- Esco calls Affleck “easygoing” and the set “cozy, loving”
- Why it matters: Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how actors navigate vulnerable moments with humor and trust
Lina Esco has revealed that filming bedroom scenes with Ben Affleck for their new Netflix crime thriller turned into a comedy session, with both actors breaking into laughter and “dorking around” between takes.
The 40-year-old actress, who plays Captain Jackie Velez in The Rip, told News Of Los Angeles on the red carpet of the film’s New York premiere that the intimate moments were anything but awkward thanks to Affleck’s relaxed demeanor.
“We Were Giggling”
“We were giggling,” Esco recalled. “We were just two dorks, dorking around.”
She praised her 53-year-old co-star for keeping the atmosphere light, saying, “Ben is just such a sweet man and easygoing, it’s just easy. Sometimes you don’t run into people that are easy, and I can honestly say it just felt easygoing set energy, which is very rare.”
The S.W.A.T. alum emphasized that the positive vibe extended beyond Affleck to the entire production team. Director Joe Carnahan fostered what she described as a “lowkey, very down to earth” environment.
“There was nothing pretentious about anyone,” she noted. “He just made sure everyone was comfortable at all times, played soundtrack music at all times, pushed you into the tone and the mood of the film.”
From Script to Screen
Esco said she knew she wanted the role the instant she read the screenplay.
“The script when I first read it was incredible. I was like, ‘Oh my God. I want to be in this movie.'”
The audition process included multiple tryouts and a pivotal Zoom call with Carnahan.
“It was love at first sight. It was like ‘Wow.’ And he said, ‘Come and join me on this journey.’ I never knew it was going to be like this – and here I am.”
After seeing an early cut, Esco became her own toughest critic turned biggest fan.
“The movie is amazing. I’m not just saying that, I usually will be like [tsks], but I wholeheartedly will tell you it’s a great movie.”
The Rip’s Star-Studded Lineup
The gritty Netflix release pairs Affleck and Matt Damon as Miami narcotics officers whose loyalty is tested when they uncover a massive cash haul during a tense investigation.
Joining them onscreen:
- Kyle Chandler
- Teyana Taylor
- Steven Yeun
Affleck and Damon also serve as producers alongside Damon’s wife, Luciana Damon, and Dani Bernfeld.
The film premiered at Alice Tully Hall on January 13, 2026, and is now available to stream worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Intimate scenes can feel safe and even fun when co-stars establish trust and directors prioritize comfort.
- Esco’s account highlights how soundtrack music and relaxed leadership shape on-set morale.
- The Rip offers fans a double dose of Affleck-Damon chemistry backed by a ensemble cast and sleek Miami noir visuals.
