Miami-Dade Officers Sue Affleck and Damon's Production Company Over Netflix Film 'The Rip'
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Two Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officers have filed a lawsuit against Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, Artists Equity, over the Netflix crime drama 'The Rip'. The suit alleges the film was inspired by a real 2016 case in which the officers seized over $21 million and uses unique, non-generic details from their investigation. The officers are seeking damages and a public correction to the film.
Facts First
- Two Miami-Dade law enforcement officers have sued Artists Equity, the production company owned by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
- The lawsuit targets the Netflix film 'The Rip', which stars Affleck and Damon and was released in January 2026.
- The officers claim the film was inspired by their real 2016 case involving the seizure of more than $21 million.
- The suit alleges the movie uses unique details from the investigation, including the setting and portrayal of a narcotics team.
- The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with a public retraction and a prominent disclaimer for the film.
What Happened
Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana, two officers with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, have filed a lawsuit against the production company Artists Equity, which is owned by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The lawsuit concerns the Netflix crime drama 'The Rip', directed by Joe Carnahan and released in January 2026. The film stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as Miami-Dade police officers and includes text stating it was 'inspired by true events'. The officers' lawsuit claims the film was inspired by a real-life case from June 2016 in which they seized more than $21 million. It alleges the movie uses unique, non-generic details from their June 29, 2016, investigation, including the Miami-Dade setting and a portrayal of a narcotics team.
Why this Matters to You
This lawsuit highlights how the portrayal of real-life events in entertainment can have legal consequences for the people involved. If you work in a profession where your actions could become public record, your story might be adapted without your consent, potentially leading to disputes over accuracy and compensation. The outcome of this case could influence how production companies approach 'inspired by true events' claims, possibly leading to more rigorous fact-checking or clearer disclaimers on future films and shows you watch.
What's Next
The plaintiffs' lawyers are seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, a public retraction, a correction, and the addition of a prominent disclaimer to the movie. Artists Equity may respond to the lawsuit, and the case will likely proceed through the legal system, where a judge will determine the merits of the claims. The production company's response to requests for comment could provide an early indication of its legal strategy.