When you saw some names together, fans of their work can instantly know that they’ll have a great time at the movies. One of those duos is Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The affectionately named “Matt & Ben” have years of working together under their belts and now their new movie, The Rip, should have your attention.

The Rip is written and directed by Joe Carnahan, director of Smokin’ Aces. It tells the story of Dane (Damon) and JD (Affleck) and their special united within the police force. Their job is to take on tips sent their way and intercept the “rip” from it. Meaning the piles of money from the cartels and other drug dealings in the Florida area. But their biggest rip yet serves as a difficult task for the team after the death of their leader.

Carnahan does a great job of weaving our own expectations of these actors with their body of work to trick the audience time and time again in a way that is fascinating to watch. You never quite know who you can trust throughout The Rip and that works in the film’s favor. It is an exciting film on its own but allowing fans to constantly second guess every character allows us to have fun on this journey.

Dane and JD are the leaders of their group but it feels, at times, that Dane is in this rip for the money. They find it in Desi’s (Sasha Calle) house. And it provides the film with a one set piece that is more a haunted house than anything else. And yet you’re captivated throughout The Rip‘s entire 2 hour and 13 minute runtime.

Who is doing it like Matt and Ben?

Part of why The Rip woks is because we care about Damon and Affleck. If there wasn’t a real reason to love them, then their characters wouldn’t be as compelling. But the same goes for the rest of the cast. Kyle Chandler’s Nix and Steven Yeun’s Mike are only characters we love because of the actors playing them. I instantly cared about them both because of my connection to them and that’s a testament to Carnahan’s ability as a director to weave a tale with his actors.

Yes, the action is there. Yes, the comedy is there. But Carnahan also uses the darkness to make moments almost feel like a horror film and the jumps and twists all work to make The Rip is one of the most exciting movies in the Matt & Ben catalog. That and it is fun to see the phoenix tattoo on Ben Affleck’s back live in living color.

The Rip hits Netflix on January 16.

4/5 stars