If You Loved Ben Affleck In The Rip, You Need To Check Out His First Collab With The Director

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It’s still early in the year, but the 2026 movie lineup already looks promising, especially with the new action film, The Rip. This Netflix original stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as police officers who find $20 million hidden in a house, and it’s full of unexpected twists and exciting action. If you enjoy this movie, you should definitely check out another film pairing Affleck with director Joe Carnahan.

I consider Smokin’ Aces to be one of the greatest action movies of the 21st century. It’s an incredibly exciting, over-the-top, and unforgettable film. If you haven’t seen this 2007 thriller in a while, or ever, I highly recommend giving it a watch.

Smokin’ Aces Is A Wild-As-Hell Action Thriller Set In Lake Tahoe, Of All Places

Much more outlandish than The Rip or other films by Joe Carnahan, Smokin’ Aces is a chaotic action movie about two FBI agents racing to protect a Las Vegas magician with ties to the mob. They need to reach him before a colorful group of bounty hunters, hired guns, and assassins do, all within a Lake Tahoe casino.

I won’t spoil anything for first-time viewers, but if you enjoyed the surprises and action in The Rip, you’re in for a treat with this film, which came out almost 20 years ago. It’s a real rollercoaster that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end – one of those movies that truly delivers.

Ben Affleck Is Just One Member Of An Absurdly Stacked Cast

In the movie Smokin’ Aces, Ben Affleck plays Jack Dupree, a bail bondsman tasked with finding Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven) – a magician turned criminal who’s made a lot of enemies – and bringing him in alive. But Affleck is just one piece of an incredibly star-studded cast. The film features musicians-turned-actors like Alicia Keys and Common, alongside established stars like Ryan Reynolds, Andy Garcia, and a surprisingly different Chris Pine playing a meth-addicted neo-Nazi. Jason Bateman, Joel Edgerton, Ray Liotta, and many other famous faces also appear.

Surprisingly, every actor gets a chance to stand out during the movie’s 109 minutes, and no one feels overshadowed. It’s clear everyone was enjoying themselves immensely, particularly Jeremy Piven in the lead role. Just be warned – many of the characters meet dramatic ends, but I won’t spoil who!

While Smokin’ Aces sometimes appears on streaming platforms like Netflix, right now you can only rent or buy it online. It’s a wild, often forgotten action movie packed with surprising twists, turns, and genuine heart. If you enjoyed The Rip and want to see more work from Ben Affleck and Joe Carnahan, this is a great choice!

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2026-01-22 18:08