The RIP, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, will be released on Netflix in January 2026

Table of Contents

Netflix is ​​once again preparing a major spectacle that will captivate the attention of Hollywood movie fans. After the success of various original projects, the streaming platform has finally released the latest developments regarding the crime thriller titled The RIP.

Making no mistake, two renowned actors, known to the public as friends and creative duos, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, are once again paired as the leads. The film has completed since late 2024, and Netflix has now confirmed an official release date of January 16, 2026, heightening anticipation for their collaboration in what is being touted as a modern classic-style crime film.

A New Project Seriously Developed by Damon and Affleck

The RIP is the latest work from Joe Carnahan, director of Smoking Aces. The screenplay was co-written with Michael McGrale (The Following) and produced by Dani Bernfeld (Ford v Ferrari) and Falco Pictures.

Interestingly, this project is under the banner of Artists Equity, the studio headed by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. This marks the second Netflix project produced by Artists Equity, following Animals. Carnahan explained that the story of The RIP has personal significance.

“RIP was born from a deeply personal experience my friend had, both as a father and as the head of the tactical narcotics unit for the Miami-Dade Police Department. The film was inspired in part by his life and then by my enduring love of classic '70s police thrillers that truly valued character and interpersonal relationships and were benchmarks of that era—films like Serpico and Prince of the City and, more recently, Michael Mann's Heat,” Carnahan explained, as quoted by Whats On Netflix.

He also added that the film was inspired by his love of '70s police thrillers like Serpico, Prince of the City, and Michael Mann's Heat. Originally scheduled for release in Fall 2025, the official release date was later pushed back and announced during Netflix Upfronts to January 2026.

Synopsis of The RIP

The story focuses on the murder of a captain that has remained unsolved for six weeks. A bureaucratic holdup in the case frustrates the Miami Tactical Narcotics team, who are forced to take matters into their own hands. They receive information about a drug cartel's drug cache and decide to conduct a raid.

However, what they discover is far more substantial than they expected: millions of dollars in cash stashed in an abandoned warehouse.

This discovery sparks internal conflict, shaking trust among team members. As word of the seizure spreads, external threats emerge, and a moral dilemma arises: loyalty or opportunity? The film promises psychological tension and sharp character dynamics.

Production Response and Additional Details

In a September 2025 interview with GQ, Damon and Affleck stated that their goal was to make a film of the quality they themselves would want to see. Damon said, “Our goal has always been just to make a movie that we think we’re going to love… A good movie.”

Carnahan then praised Artists Equity’s approach to empowering filmmakers. Meanwhile, the GQ article noted the interesting Damon-Affleck dynamic onscreen. Damon jokingly remarked, “Well, someone has to carry the weight of this movie.”

Affleck responded by praising his co-star, saying, “He’s so down-to-earth, so real, and so honest… and I think what he’s doing is harder.”

The RIP Official Cast List

A number of big names have joined the cast:

• Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
• Sasha Calle
• Teyana Taylor
• Catalina Sandino Moreno
• Scott Adkins
• Nestor Carbonell
• Lina Esco
• Steven Yeun
• Kyle Chandler
• Shawn Michael
• Chris Silvestri

With a roster this big, the film is predicted to be one of Netflix’s most anticipated releases of early 2026. Can’t wait?