Miami Police Officers File Lawsuit Against Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Over 'The Rip'

Overview of 'The Rip'

Directed by Joe Carnahan, the action-packed film The Rip debuted on Netflix on January 16, 2026. Featuring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the movie is reportedly inspired by the real-life story of Chris Casiano, a police captain from Miami-Dade County. Recently, two officers from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana, have initiated legal action against Affleck and Damon’s production company, Artists Equity, claiming that their portrayal in the film has negatively impacted their reputations.

Details of the Lawsuit

Miami Officers Sue Over Depiction in Film

According to a report from Entertainment Weekly, officers Smith and Santana assert that the characters portrayed by Affleck and Damon in The Rip have caused them significant harm to their personal and professional lives. They argue that the film suggests 'misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior' related to a genuine law enforcement operation. As of now, Artists Equity has not publicly addressed these allegations.

The film begins with a statement claiming it is “inspired by true events.” The lawsuit references a significant case from June 2016, during which over $21 million was confiscated. Although the names of Smith and Santana are not mentioned in the film, their lawsuit contends that the unique details of the investigation, along with the Miami-Dade setting and the depiction of a narcotics team, imply that the officers in question are the plaintiffs.

Demands from the Officers

What Are the Officers Seeking?

In the film, Damon portrays Lieutenant Dane Dumar, while Affleck plays Detective Sergeant JD Byrne. Their characters are involved in corrupt dealings, with Byrne even killing a DEA agent. Reports indicate that the defendants have responded to the plaintiffs’ legal team, asserting that their concerns are baseless since they were not explicitly named and that there is no suggestion of misconduct involving the plaintiffs.

Smith and Santana are requesting a public retraction and correction, which includes a significant disclaimer added to the film on Netflix. They are also pursuing compensatory damages, punitive damages, and coverage of their legal fees.

More Insights on 'The Rip'

About the Film's Plot

Dumar and Byrne are members of the Tactical Narcotics Team in Miami. When they discover $20 million in cash during a recent operation, tensions arise within the team, which also features Detective Mike Ro (played by Steven Yeun), Detective Numa Baptiste (Teyana Taylor), and Detective Lolo Salazar (Catalina Sandino Moreno). The cast also includes Kyle Chandler and Sasha Calle. The film is currently available for streaming on Netflix.