Say More

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reveal how 'The Rip' was shaped by music...and Ben's mom

Director Joe Carnahan used some curious audio as a tool for his stars.
 By 
Kristy Puchko
 on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in "The Rip."
Watch Next

On Mashable's Say More, hosts Kristy Puchko (Mashable's Entertainment Editor) and Mark Stetson (Senior Creative Producer) bring humor and their trusted insights to the biggest shows, films, digital trends, and cultural moments. From viral-worthy rants and passionate raves to smart recaps and first-look teasers, they cover what everyone is talking about. Celebrity guests join the conversation for real talk about their careers, upcoming projects, and what’s trending online.

New episodes every Friday.


Matt Damon and Ben Affleck became Hollywood golden boys with Good Will Hunting before the childhood friends forged their own distinct paths in movie-making. Now they reunite for writer/director Joe Carnahan's The Rip, a Netflix action-thriller that's currently streaming.

In The Rip, Damon and Affleck play narcotics police officers whose long-time friendship is challenged when they discover $20 million in cash. Should they steal "the rip"? Their team is divided over the temptation to turn corrupt cops. And to hammer home some of the film's most dramatic moments, Carnahan blasted music between setups to give his cast, which includes Catalina Sandino Moreno and Sasha Calle, a sense of the tone he was building.

In an interview with Mashable Entertainment Editor, Kristy Puchko, Carnahan, Damon, Affleck, Moreno, and Calle spoke about this use of music on set. Then Carnahan shared how he used an unconventional audio tool for the film's final moments. To hammer home the loss Affleck and Damon's characters feel over the death of their captain, Jackie Velez (Lina Esco), Carnahan recorded audio of their children and moms yelling "Jackie!" so he could play that on set.

Affleck explained how "trigger objects" can be a tool for actors to channel an emotion, and how that came into play in shooting The Rip.

The Rip is now streaming on Netflix.

Topics Netflix

Mashable Image
Kristy Puchko

Kristy Puchko is the Entertainment Editor at Mashable. Based in New York City, she's an established film critic and entertainment reporter who has traveled the world on assignment, covered a variety of film festivals, co-hosted movie-focused podcasts, and interviewed a wide array of performers and filmmakers.


More from Say More
Walker Scobell says 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 3 is 'even better than I imagined'
Walker Scobell against a backdrop of the poster for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.

'No Other Choice' skewers the job market. Here's why Park Chan-wook made it.
Director Park Chan-wook and star Lee Byung-hun during the junket for 'No Other Choice'

Nia DaCosta and Jack O'Connell dive into '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'
Jack O'Connell and Nia DaCosta on the Say More Couch talking "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple."

Gerard Butler reveals the real-life disasters he's survived with 'Slash or Pass'
Gerard Bulter at the junket for Greenland 2

MrBeast Talks 'Beast Games' Season 2 and how he built his YouTube empire
MrBeast being interviewed in promotion of Beast Games season 2

Latest Videos
People are freaking out about 'Fallout' — but are they right?
Lucy and the Deathclaw from Fallout season 2



Jimmy Kimmel breaks down the FCC's latest threat to talk shows
Jimmy Kimmel presents his show.

Seth Meyers unpacks Trump's detail-free 'framework of a deal' on Greenland
Seth Meyers presents "Late Night" beside an image of Donald Trump


Stephen Colbert torches CBS during monologue on Trump's billion-dollar peace board
Stephen Colbert presents The Late Show.

Walker Scobell says 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 3 is 'even better than I imagined'
Walker Scobell against a backdrop of the poster for "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Season 2.

Seth Meyers reluctantly takes 'A Closer Look' at Trump's Davos speech
Seth Meyers stares at the ceiling while presenting "Late Night" beside an image of Donald Trump.

Stephen Colbert mocks Trump's Greenland/Iceland mix-up
Stephen Colbert presents "The Late Show."

'The Daily Show' on Trump's Greenland demands at Davos: "Just tell that man no"
The Daily Show host Josh Johnson presents a segment beside an image of Donald Trump.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!