Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who have a long history of collaboration, are joining forces once again for a new project.The two actors, who first appeared on screen together as uncredited extras in Field of Dreams and later won an Oscar for Good Will Hunting, will star in RIP, a gritty crime thriller set to premiere on Netflix this fall.
While an official release date has yet to be announced, the film’s title, RIP, carries a double meaning. It alludes to the practice of police officers “ripping off” criminals by confiscating their illicit goods. It also, of course, suggests mortality, a common theme in crime stories. The film centers on a group of Miami cops whose trust in one another begins to erode after they stumble upon millions of dollars in cash hidden in a derelict stash house. As word of their discovery spreads, outside forces become involved, and the lines between right and wrong, and between friend and foe, become increasingly blurred.
Joe Carnahan, who previously worked with Affleck on Smokin’ Aces, is the writer and director of RIP. In a Netflix interview, Carnahan expressed his enthusiasm for the project and his positive experience working with Damon and Affleck, who also serve as producers through their company, Artists Equity.
The cast of RIP includes Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Teyana Taylor, and Sasha Calle, alongside Damon and Affleck.
Carnahan shared that the film is inspired by the experiences of a friend who worked as the head of tactical narcotics for the Miami-Dade Police Department. He also cited classic 1970s cop thrillers like Serpico and Prince of the City, as well as Michael Mann’s Heat, as influences, emphasizing the importance of character development and interpersonal relationships in the genre.
RIP marks another chapter in the longstanding friendship and professional partnership of Damon and Affleck.The two actors, who met as teenagers growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have collaborated on several projects throughout their careers, including Dogma, The Last Duel, and Air. Their latest venture, RIP, promises to deliver a compelling crime thriller with a focus on character dynamics and the complexities of law enforcement.
