At a Glance
- Director Joe Carnahan says Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s real-life “brotherly” bond mirrors their on-screen chemistry
- The pair play cops investigating millions in cash found in a derelict safe house
- January 16, 2025 marks the Netflix debut of crime thriller The Rip
Why it matters: Fans get to see Hollywood’s most famous 40-year friendship translated into a gritty crime story
The decades-long friendship between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon takes center stage in Netflix’s upcoming crime thriller The Rip, with director Joe Carnahan revealing how their real-life bond elevated the film.
Speaking at the New York City premiere, Carnahan told News Of Losangeles that casting the duo was “very easy” given their four-decade history and shared Academy Award success.
From Childhood Friends to Crime-Fighting Partners
The Rip casts Affleck and Damon as detectives JD Byrne and Dane Dumars, whose police unit fractures when millions in cash surface in an abandoned safe house. Their characters navigate betrayal and mistrust while investigating the mysterious money discovery.
Carnahan witnessed their authentic connection daily on set, describing their dynamic as “hysterical” despite the film’s serious subject matter.
“Oh, they razz each other endlessly,” Carnahan said. “It’s the way brothers go at each other. It’s the way my brother and I talk: we just endlessly clown the other person and that is them.”
Why the Director Calls Them “World-Class” Partners
The filmmaker emphasized that both actors bring more than star power to the project. Each has proven themselves behind the camera as accomplished directors and producers, with Oscar wins to their credit.
“You got two guys; you’re trading on a 40-year friendship, you’re trading on them both being movie stars, which almost never happens,” Carnahan noted. “Think about that, these two best friends become movie stars.”
This rare combination of personal history and professional excellence created an ideal working environment. The director explained that their established trust allowed for seamless collaboration throughout production.
“Whatever I needed, they gave with great grace and support and love, and kind of let us do our thing,” Carnahan said. “We just put our faith in what I knew we could do and went out and did it.”
Behind the Scenes of a 40-Year Friendship
The actors first met as children in Cambridge, Massachusetts, forming a bond that would eventually reshape Hollywood history. Their friendship predates their fame, creating the authentic foundation that Carnahan harnessed for The Rip.
On set, their brotherly rapport manifested through constant teasing and inside jokes. The director compared their interactions to siblings who communicate through good-natured ribbing.
This natural dynamic translated to their performances as police partners navigating complex criminal investigations. Their characters’ familiarity mirrors the actors’ real relationship, adding depth to their on-screen partnership.
Netflix Crime Thriller Marks Latest Collaboration
The Rip represents another milestone in Affleck and Damon’s collaborative history, which includes Oscar-winning work on Good Will Hunting and various producing partnerships. The Netflix platform provides global reach for their latest joint effort.
The film’s premise centers on moral ambiguity within law enforcement, with the discovered cash creating rifts among officers. This setup allows both actors to explore themes of loyalty and betrayal against a gritty crime backdrop.
Carnahan’s direction emphasizes character relationships over action sequences, making the casting of real-life friends crucial to the story’s impact. Their natural chemistry eliminates the need for manufactured camaraderie.
Key Takeaways
- Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s 40-year friendship provides authentic chemistry for their roles as police partners
- Director Joe Carnahan describes their relationship as “very brotherly” with constant teasing
- The Rip debuts on Netflix January 16, 2025, bringing their crime thriller to global audiences
- Both actors are accomplished filmmakers beyond their acting careers, bringing depth to their performances
- The film explores themes of trust and betrayal within a police unit investigating mysterious cash
