Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Face Lawsuit Over Netflix Film 'The Rip'

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are named in a defamation lawsuit centered on their Netflix film The Rip.

Miami-Dade officers Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana have filed suit against the actors, alleging they were depicted in a defamatory manner through characters in the film. While the officers are not identified by name in the movie, the lawsuit contends they served as the basis for the lead roles—with Damon portraying Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Affleck playing Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne.

According to documents reviewed by Entertainment Weekly, Smith and Santana argue that their depiction has inflicted "substantial harm to their personal and professional reputations." The officers claim the film and its promotional materials "imply misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior in connection with a real law enforcement operation."

The Rip draws inspiration from an actual incident involving Miami-Dade County Police Captain Chris Casiano. The film follows a team of officers who discover millions of dollars in a cartel safe house during a raid, leading the group to turn against each other as suspicion mounts about who might attempt to pocket the seized funds.

The legal action targets the production entities behind the film, including the actors' company Falco Productions and Artists Equity. The complaint includes allegations of defamation per se, defamation by implication, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Smith and Santana are seeking compensatory and punitive damages along with legal fees. They are also requesting a public retraction and correction, as well as a more prominent disclaimer for the film. The officers contend that the current "inspired by true events" language is insufficient, noting that aside from the large-scale seizure depicted, the events shown in the film did not actually occur.

The Rip is currently available to stream on Netflix.