Miami police officers sued Artists Equity over Netflix crime thriller “The Rip,” alleging it wrongly depicts them as “dirty.”
A Netflix crime thriller starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck has triggered a fresh legal clash in Florida, with Miami police officers accusing the filmmakers of unfairly portraying them as “dirty.”
The lawsuit targets Damon and Affleck through their production company, Artists Equity, over their latest Netflix release, the crime thriller “The Rip.” Police involved in a 2016 operation in Miami’s region say the film falsely depicts them in a way that has damaged reputations.
“The Rip. ” released in January. opens with a disclaimer stating it is “inspired by true events.” Writer and director Joe Carnahan has previously described the story as drawing from the 2016 Miami Lakes narcotics raid—an operation in which the Miami-Dade Police Department. now part of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Department. seized more than $24 million in laundered cash.. The case is described as the largest money forfeiture in Miami-Dade history.
In the new lawsuit, multiple officers connected to the original 2016 bust claim the movie has caused “unfair reputational harm.” The dispute centers on how the film characterizes law enforcement behavior and motives, with claimants arguing that the portrayal misrepresents the real-life operation.
Jonathan Santana, the lead detective in the 2016 case, told a local outlet that he and his colleagues never stole money. Speaking about the film’s framing, Santana said that when something is “ripped,” it is “stealing something,” adding that, according to him, they “never stole a dollar.”
Santana also said that although he was once praised for his role in the decade-old case. the premiere of “The Rip” has led to mockery from people who questioned the officers’ conduct.. He described online and public reactions that effectively reduced the operation to a story about how much money was taken.
On screen, Damon and Affleck reunite as lead officers conducting the raid.. The movie depicts the discovery of the large sum of cash and portrays a growing strain on the officers’ alliance and trust as the operation unfolds.. Alongside Damon and Affleck, the film includes performances from Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Scott Adkins, and Steven Yeun.
The lawsuit argues that “The Rip” goes beyond dramatic adaptation by adding fabricated storylines meant to depict police corruption. cartel involvement. and even murder.. In the complaint. officers point to specific moments they say present officers deceiving suspects. maintaining direct contact with the cartel. and considering illegally pocketing a portion of the uncovered money.
Santana’s lawyer, Ignacio Alvarez, also argued that the film’s portrayal is directly harmful. He contended that the movie depicts police officers as “dirty” and frames the real-life officers as “dirty,” resulting in reputational injury.
Alvarez further said the impact is long-lasting, arguing that the officers’ reputations are now affected “for the rest of their lives,” in a way that shapes how the public views them.
The controversy around “The Rip” is not new.. Shortly after the film’s release. Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo argued that it portrays the city as dangerous and disrespects law enforcement.. In remarks made during a press conference at the time. Calvo said the criticism ends now. describing the film as a “slap in the face” to local law enforcement personnel.
Although the movie is described as inspired by the events in Miami Lakes, its setting is in Hialeah, a city located northwest of Miami. That choice of setting has become part of the wider criticism, as local officials have argued the film’s framing contributes to stigma.
Legal and reputational questions often intensify when a production claims inspiration from real events while using dramatized elements—particularly when the public can connect movie scenes to identifiable real-world cases.. For the officers involved. the central issue appears to be whether storytelling devices cross the line from creative interpretation into portrayals they say are materially harmful.
For now, the controversy continues as the film remains publicly available and the legal complaint presses the alleged reputational damage. The Independent contacted Alvarez and Artists Equity for comment.
Matt Damon Ben Affleck lawsuit The Rip Netflix Miami police officers Artists Equity Joe Carnahan film Miami Lakes narcotics raid