Ben Affleck and Matt Damon face lawsuit over their Netflix film ‘The Rip’

Two Miami-Dade police officers claim the film’s characters damaged their professional reputations and are seeking multi-million-dollar compensation.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are once again at the centre of attention, this time for legal reasons. The actors and producers have been sued by two Miami-Dade County officers over the film The Rip, the crime thriller currently streaming on Netflix.

The lawsuit was filed by officers Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana, who argue that the film used elements inspired by their real-life experiences within the police force to create the lead characters portrayed by Affleck and Damon. Although their names are never directly mentioned in the film, the plaintiffs claim there are enough similarities for colleagues and people in their personal lives to identify them with the characters.

In the film, Matt Damon plays Lieutenant Dane Dumars, while Ben Affleck portrays Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne. According to legal documents cited by several American media outlets, the officers believe the portrayal of law enforcement within the story suggests unethical conduct, abuse of power and questionable decisions connected to real police operations.

The legal dispute directly targets production companies Falco Productions and Artists Equity, both linked to Affleck and Damon. The lawsuit includes allegations of defamation, emotional distress and misleading representation based on real events.

‘The Rip’ is partially inspired by the story of Captain Chris Casiano and follows a group of officers who discover millions of dollars hidden inside a cartel stash house. Following the discovery, tensions within the group escalate, turning the operation into a conflict driven by mistrust and corruption.

The plaintiffs are seeking financial compensation, punitive damages and coverage of legal fees. They are also demanding a public retraction and changes to the film’s disclaimers, arguing that the phrase “inspired by true events” is insufficient and potentially damaging to individuals connected to the original operation.