Two US Officers Sue Ben Affleck, Matt Damon Over Defamation in ‘The Rip’

Two American police officers have filed a defamation lawsuit against the creators of the thriller “The Rip,” including stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, claiming the film exploited details of a real incident and harmed their professional and personal reputations. The complaint was lodged in a federal court in Miami by officers Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana against Artists Equity, the production company owned by Affleck and Damon.

While the court documents do not specify a monetary figure, the plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, coverage of legal fees, a public apology, and a correction to the film’s content. The lawsuit argues that although the film does not explicitly name them, Santana was the lead investigator on the original case and Smith was the sergeant supervising the team. They contend that the inclusion of precise details from the real event creates a public impression that the cinematic characters are direct portrayals of them, which has negatively impacted their professional and personal standing.

Film’s Basis in Real Events

“The Rip” follows the story of two South Florida police officers, played by Affleck and Damon, who discover millions of dollars inside a home. Some of the film’s plot was inspired by a 2016 case in which police found over $21 million in a Miami Lakes residence linked to a suspected marijuana trafficker.

In a formal response filed on March 19, the company’s attorney, Laitha Walker, argued that the film does not claim to recount the true story in its entirety or to mimic specific individuals. She emphasized that the film’s closing credits include an explicit disclaimer clarifying its dramatic nature. The legal representative for Artists Equity has declined to comment on the matter.

The officers’ lawsuit maintains that the film’s use of minute details from the actual incident reinforces the belief among audiences that the on-screen characters are direct representations of them, a perception they say has damaged their professional and personal reputations.