Matt Damon and Ben Affleck sued by Miami Cops over Netflix film The Rip: Here's what we know

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are facing legal trouble after two Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies filed a lawsuit against the actors and their production company, Artists Equity, over Netflix crime thriller The Rip. The officers have alleged that the film unfairly portrayed them as corrupt and caused serious reputational damage.

The lawsuit was reportedly filed by deputies Jonathan Santana and Jason Smith, who claim the film’s storyline closely mirrors a real-life 2016 narcotics operation they were involved in, despite the movie presenting itself as fictionalised drama inspired by true events.

What is the lawsuit about?

According to court filings reviewed by multiple outlets, the deputies argue that The Rip falsely implies they were involved in misconduct and corruption linked to a massive drug-money seizure operation in Miami Lakes.

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Jonathan Santana, a deputy for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, told 7 News Miami, “When you rip something, you’re stealing something. We never stole a dollar."

He also claimed he has been teased since the film’s release, with people accusing him of stealing.

The Netflix thriller, directed by Joe Carnahan, follows a group of Miami narcotics officers who discover millions in cartel cash before suspicion and paranoia begin consuming the unit. Damon and Affleck play two central officers in the film.

While the deputies are not directly named in the movie, the lawsuit reportedly claims that several identifiable details from the real operation were used closely enough for viewers and colleagues to connect the fictional events to them. The officers allege this has led to public ridicule, emotional distress and professional harm.

Officers claim filmmakers ignored warnings

The deputies further alleged that a cease-and-desist notice had been sent before the film’s release in January 2026, objecting to how the project was being marketed as “inspired by true events”.

The lawsuit accuses Artists Equity and associated production companies of defamation, defamation by implication and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Netflix itself has not been named as a defendant in the case.

Artists Equity has reportedly denied wrongdoing, arguing that the film uses fictional characters and contains disclaimers clarifying that it is a dramatised story rather than a factual recreation.

A film inspired by a real case

The Rip was partly inspired by a real 2016 Miami-Dade narcotics operation that uncovered millions of dollars hidden inside a house during a raid. The actual case became one of the largest money seizures in the county’s history.

The film itself received generally favourable reviews upon release earlier this year and marked another major collaboration between Damon and Affleck under their Artists Equity banner.

Interestingly, months before the lawsuit surfaced, Affleck had publicly spoken about working closely with Miami law enforcement officials during the making of the film in order to maintain authenticity.

The deputies are now reportedly seeking unspecified damages along with corrective action regarding the film’s portrayal and marketing.