The Hidden Review team has watched THE RIP – DIRTY MONEY, the new crime thriller based on a true story, produced by Artists Equity Productions and distributed by Netflix, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and directed by Joe Carnahan. The film has been available exclusively on Netflix since January 16.
The themes
The movie explores the corruption influencing police departments, a familiar theme within the crime genre. However, The Rip – Dirty Money approaches it by closely following the personal lives of a group of cops who respond to a mysterious anonymous call suggesting that a large sum of money is hidden inside a house.
Cast
Leading the team is Matt Damon, alongside his lifelong friend, portrayed by Ben Affleck, whose loyalty is unwavering regardless of the consequences. The cast also includes Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler. Throughout the film, the story examines how loyalty is tested and how difficult it becomes to escape a morally compromised environment. The all cast made such a beautiful performance, which characterises everything without showing any mistakes in terms of tone and emotion delivered.
The investigation
The Miami police department is already under extreme pressure due to the recent homicide of their captain. At the same time, a lack of funds prevents them from properly investigating the crime. When the operation is swiftly and efficiently organised, the officers soon discover that the money hidden in the house is not a minor stash but millions of dollars.
At this point, Dane Dumars faces a crucial decision, continuing the late captain’s mission to uncover who is behind a series of robberies involving corrupted police departments and to expose those responsible.
As the story unfolds—rooted in real events and lived experiences—the film effectively portrays how challenging it is to navigate themes such as loyalty, greed, friendship, and professional duty. When confronted with millions of dollars, moral choices become blurred, and duty is no longer an obvious priority.
The screenplay
The screenplay, written by Joe Carnahan and Michael McGrale, is solid and well-structured, with dialogue that supports the emotional and ethical tension of the story. Carnahan’s direction shows a strong attention to detail, ensuring that nothing is left to chance. Although the narrative may appear chaotic at times, this chaos serves a purpose and remains controlled through to the film’s conclusion, including the subplot involving the cartel.
The setting
The setting accurately reflects the characters’ psychological states, creating a tense atmosphere that invites the audience to better understand their motivations and inner conflicts. While some narrative developments are predictable, the suspense remains effective.
The cinematography
The cinematography highlights the importance of detail and reinforces the immersive quality of the story, making the audience feel embedded within the characters’ experiences. Costume design also remains grounded in realism, further enhancing authenticity.
Streaming now on Netflix
Overall, The Rip – Dirty Money is a film worth watching, offering an engaging exploration of how law enforcement operates under extreme pressure and moral compromise, while successfully building empathy for characters caught in an evolving and dangerous mission.
Hidden fire stars 8/10
The RIP – Dirty money is now available on Netflix.
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