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Matt Damon, Ben Affleck have always been each other’s ‘biggest fans’

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYJanuary 16, 2026 at 1:19 AM

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NEW YORK – You know that scene in “Step Brothers,” when Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly realize they just became best friends?

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck can relate, having grown up as childhood pals just outside Boston.

“I don’t know if there was a moment of, ‘You want to go do karate in the garage?’ ” Damon says with a laugh, seated with Affleck in a Midtown hotel. Rather, “it was an incremental series of those moments. Friendships at that age are incredible and special and life-changing.”

Together they’ve conquered Hollywood over the last 30 years, with their latest team-up being “The Rip” (streaming on Netflix Jan. 16), playing Miami police officers whose loyalties are tested after stumbling upon $20 million in cash. Written and directed by Joe Carnahan, the action thriller is loosely inspired by the true story of one of Carnahan's law enforcement friends, who also helped recruit real-life police officers to appear in the film.

On the set with Affleck and Damon, “you could feel how deeply they respect and love each other,” Carnahan recalls. “You’ve known this guy since he was a kid – you can’t jimmy up that kind of connection.”

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Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck have co-starred in films including "Dogma," "School Ties" and "Good Will Hunting."

Damon, 55, and Affleck, 53, made in-roads into the business as extras in the Fenway Park sequence of 1989’s “Field of Dreams.” But their breakthrough came after co-writing and starring in 1997’s “Good Will Hunting,” which won the Oscar for best original screenplay. Receiving awards recognition so early was a “blessing,” Damon says, because they “never had to chase it” moving forward.

The A-listers have since seen each other through relationships, personal struggles and becoming dads. Although much ink has been spilled about their friendship, they’ve learned to never read their own press.

“It’s not useful to see what it is that people are opining on,” Affleck says. Adds Damon: “I don’t think I’ve looked at a comments section since the first time I looked at a comments section (laughs). I was like, ‘Well, I’ll never do that again!’ ”

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon got their big break with "Good Will Hunting," which won them a best original screenplay Oscar in 1998.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4gROxqC8Sns1.0Ks4yQDWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjg5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91598e5a042126c27022163b2bbd44cb class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon team for 'The Rip.' See their past collabs." data-caption="

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon got their big break with "Good Will Hunting," which won them a best original screenplay Oscar in 1998.

">Ben Affleck and Matt Damon got their big break with "Good Will Hunting," which won them a best original screenplay Oscar in 1998.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/4gROxqC8Sns1.0Ks4yQDWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjg5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/91598e5a042126c27022163b2bbd44cb class=caas-img>Matt Damon and Ben Affleck take on the role of Miami cops in their most recent collaboration, "The Rip," a new crime thriller based on true events. Here they are at the film's world premiere on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TNPKl4_jQqHAM1swzvmB5g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1a3800b7a34a19f99b900344a829040b class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon team for 'The Rip.' See their past collabs." data-caption="

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck take on the role of Miami cops in their most recent collaboration, "The Rip," a new crime thriller based on true events. Here they are at the film's world premiere on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.

">Matt Damon and Ben Affleck take on the role of Miami cops in their most recent collaboration, "The Rip," a new crime thriller based on true events. Here they are at the film's world premiere on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TNPKl4_jQqHAM1swzvmB5g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1a3800b7a34a19f99b900344a829040b class=caas-img>

1 / 2Ben Affleck, Matt Damon team for 'The Rip.' See their past collabs.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon got their big break with "Good Will Hunting," which won them a best original screenplay Oscar in 1998.

The actors open up to USA TODAY about “The Rip,” their most underrated films and more.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

You shadowed real officers and went on ride-alongs in Miami. Did you ever see people do double takes, like, “Wait, what are Matt and Ben doing in a cop car in Florida?”

Ben Affleck: Some of the other police officers who weren't part of that group were a little taken aback. But this was an undercover unit, so the cars were unmarked and they’re pretty discreet people. (Many of them) were at the premiere with their wives and families. It was really rewarding and fun to see them like, “Oh, wow, here’s what we do up on the screen.”

Detective Sgt. J.D. Byrne (Ben Affleck, left) and Lt. Dane Dumars (Matt Damon) have their partnership challenged after finding millions of dollars in a stash house.

Looking back, what was the one movie that got away?

Matt Damon: I was supposed to do “Milk” with Gus (Van Sant). Then Sean (Penn) had something happen to his schedule and he had to push the movie, which made it a conflict for me, so I got recast with Josh Brolin. I loved the script and I’d already done research on it. But as much as I wanted to be in that, it was probably better served by Josh. He was amazing. It was a moment in my 30s when I was like, “That must’ve happened for a reason.” So I was sanguine about it at the end.

Ben Affleck, left, and Matt Damon pose with their Oscars for "Good Will Hunting" at the 1998 Academy Awards.

When you see this next generation of actors, is there something that makes you think, “Man, thank God we came up when we did?”

Affleck: The business was much more predictable back then. You knew what you needed to do, and there were very set rules and boundaries (without) the scrutiny of social media. Now, it seems to be implied that it’s incumbent on people not only to do the best work they can as actors, but to also provide a secondary narrative and performative story about one’s life on social media, which I think really runs counter to the purpose of trying to get people to believe you’re the character you are in a movie. That’s definitely an added encumbrance.

Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor ("One Battle After Another") plays a Miami police detective in "The Rip."

People like to say that Hollywood doesn’t make stars anymore. But who’s someone you see out there who really has that “It” factor?

Affleck: Teyana (Taylor), for one, absolutely. It’s been an amazing year for actors – throw a stick, and it’s just phenomenal performances and movies.

Damon: Michael B. Jordan and Timothée Chalamet. They’re already established A-list people, so that doesn’t seem particularly daring to say. But if they don’t make movie stars, well, here they are! It’s so clear to me these guys have got the world at their feet.

You both have teenagers. Is there anything they’ve turned you onto recently that you most enjoyed?

Affleck: My kids showed me “Aftersun” and I thought it was one of the best films I've seen. It was extraordinary. What a gift to be at a place in life where your children are exposing you to art that's powerful and meaningful. My kids – and Matt’s – are really smart. They’ve got great taste and they're really interesting. One of the joys of adulthood and parenthood are when they turn around and start to teach you so many things. It's the joy of life.

What about a trend that you just don’t get?

Affleck: How much time have you got?

Damon: “6-7.” I think we’re not supposed to get that and that’s OK.

What do you think is each other's most underrated film?

Damon: Ben’s got a bunch of them, but the movie he put out right as COVID hit, “The Way Back” – that was a great performance.

Affleck: Matt in “Stillwater” is incredible. “The Informant!” isn’t always talked about, and “The Good Shepherd” is a really exquisite movie. It’s a very subtle, very quiet but really piercing examination of the intelligence service in American history. I find it really beautiful. I’m a fan.

Following the Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, in Los Angeles, stars like Teyana Taylor hopped on a plane and headed for the east coast to celebrate the premiere of Netflix's "The Rip" with costars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Scroll through to see more photos from the premiere on Jan. 13, 2026.

" style=padding-bottom:56%>Another day, another red carpet. 2026 is in full force for Hollywood A-listers jumping from red carpet to red carpet during this awards show season. Following the Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, in Los Angeles, stars like Teyana Taylor hopped on a plane and headed for the east coast to celebrate the premiere of Netflix's "The Rip" with costars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Scroll through to see more photos from the premiere on Jan. 13, 2026.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Jv8hajoNj.VXccVoa5mAdA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5ebcbdbf032d326a8d579e28ca6e969f class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Another day, another red carpet. 2026 is in full force for Hollywood A-listers jumping from red carpet to red carpet during this awards show season. Following the Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, in Los Angeles, stars like Teyana Taylor hopped on a plane and headed for the east coast to celebrate the premiere of Netflix's "The Rip" with costars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Scroll through to see more photos from the premiere on Jan. 13, 2026.

">Another day, another red carpet. 2026 is in full force for Hollywood A-listers jumping from red carpet to red carpet during this awards show season. Following the Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, in Los Angeles, stars like Teyana Taylor hopped on a plane and headed for the east coast to celebrate the premiere of Netflix's "The Rip" with costars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Scroll through to see more photos from the premiere on Jan. 13, 2026.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Jv8hajoNj.VXccVoa5mAdA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5ebcbdbf032d326a8d579e28ca6e969f class=caas-img>Teyana Taylor attends Netflix's "The Rip" New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1TmLg6vqq5c_eUxBrJcUQA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dd49e79c8f2ee0e52fa7d12c7b8b95be class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Teyana Taylor attends Netflix's "The Rip" New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.

">Teyana Taylor attends Netflix's "The Rip" New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1TmLg6vqq5c_eUxBrJcUQA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/dd49e79c8f2ee0e52fa7d12c7b8b95be class=caas-img>Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2pfd7M9dMl2lfwn4Al5y3Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3d4dbfe08d60308e141043cdf59ff49a class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

">Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2pfd7M9dMl2lfwn4Al5y3Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3d4dbfe08d60308e141043cdf59ff49a class=caas-img>Joe Johnson, Shannon Sharpe, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chad Johnson

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UNOyk0qSGhXGqx9O1PFRLw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/69b81d1277790738747483a63da0ebcf class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Joe Johnson, Shannon Sharpe, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chad Johnson

">Joe Johnson, Shannon Sharpe, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chad Johnson

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UNOyk0qSGhXGqx9O1PFRLw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/69b81d1277790738747483a63da0ebcf class=caas-img>Teyana Taylor

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8cwE3ThDgcx8WUzxnSkg_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a9ab1a5816a10ec993ecb7a9d59ae1fa class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Teyana Taylor

">Teyana Taylor

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8cwE3ThDgcx8WUzxnSkg_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a9ab1a5816a10ec993ecb7a9d59ae1fa class=caas-img>Steven Yeun

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/E25m58nMUBF5Qko1M0JRHA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/996f4adb1104bad4735000f739bc1c15 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Steven Yeun

">Steven Yeun

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/E25m58nMUBF5Qko1M0JRHA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/996f4adb1104bad4735000f739bc1c15 class=caas-img>Matt Damon

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/q9K7uG9yYLZTFBKt3JrolQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9c0c13e7241a307e29cd1daf62076985 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Matt Damon

">Matt Damon

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/q9K7uG9yYLZTFBKt3JrolQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9c0c13e7241a307e29cd1daf62076985 class=caas-img>Sasha Calle

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fA2JOynvRuA4LVGa8obctw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c8e70d9c0d886921bb7fd6894dae9e25 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Sasha Calle

">Sasha Calle

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fA2JOynvRuA4LVGa8obctw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c8e70d9c0d886921bb7fd6894dae9e25 class=caas-img>Teyana Taylor

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s2Pujn0CMXtuYT47DORr7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b3daddba19d3a73e2c4390d2d413afc8 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Teyana Taylor

">Teyana Taylor

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/s2Pujn0CMXtuYT47DORr7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b3daddba19d3a73e2c4390d2d413afc8 class=caas-img>Dawn Sterling

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fcQrJzeNK8CTgjtI5MOB2A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/59b426f489f0e456197ad0e6cfa91534 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Dawn Sterling

">Dawn Sterling

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fcQrJzeNK8CTgjtI5MOB2A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/59b426f489f0e456197ad0e6cfa91534 class=caas-img>Lina Esco

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OSEtiuLziM0ksZvC8LyIaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/155731e3567227458fd67dacc047c403 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Lina Esco

">Lina Esco

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OSEtiuLziM0ksZvC8LyIaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/155731e3567227458fd67dacc047c403 class=caas-img>Dale Moss

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VOLSgb7Wjm23fv.S7nlgdA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/25312b5b05f92b260a4c407b673b87e8 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Dale Moss

">Dale Moss

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VOLSgb7Wjm23fv.S7nlgdA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/25312b5b05f92b260a4c407b673b87e8 class=caas-img>Ben Affleck

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/E9IaB.2rPNkPwsMVGgx03w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f9eac75740e88bd8a86783ae71e86cc4 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Ben Affleck

">Ben Affleck

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/E9IaB.2rPNkPwsMVGgx03w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f9eac75740e88bd8a86783ae71e86cc4 class=caas-img>Luciana Damon and Matt Damon

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/o..eGCIFIJ.2K33YIeqWTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/bf45dc887c8b50541ad091f4f9b36cfe class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Luciana Damon and Matt Damon

">Luciana Damon and Matt Damon

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/o..eGCIFIJ.2K33YIeqWTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/bf45dc887c8b50541ad091f4f9b36cfe class=caas-img>Joe Johnson, Shannon Sharpe, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chad Johnson

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zGBdNqO4P62QieLA9chCRA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6c33f23ce11f220544b5ad39246be34b class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Joe Johnson, Shannon Sharpe, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chad Johnson

">Joe Johnson, Shannon Sharpe, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chad Johnson

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zGBdNqO4P62QieLA9chCRA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6c33f23ce11f220544b5ad39246be34b class=caas-img>Kyle Chandler

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VcE_Ph6cDrABxe3srVt6rA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/deed43e67e30bd0028d9d59c8bbff96e class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Kyle Chandler

">Kyle Chandler

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VcE_Ph6cDrABxe3srVt6rA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/deed43e67e30bd0028d9d59c8bbff96e class=caas-img>Matt Damon, Bela Bajaria, Ben Affleck and Dan Lin

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yxqj71lehgTVCN3yqXBfRQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5087f80cc639d5b29122ccd73013827a class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Matt Damon, Bela Bajaria, Ben Affleck and Dan Lin

">Matt Damon, Bela Bajaria, Ben Affleck and Dan Lin

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" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_IEIvPKCWojRNmDsTssdRw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d3156b5630c9e8bc653bfba18aad63ae class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Angela Reed Oakley

">Angela Reed Oakley

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" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.J4y5SCzxIIiKLDdKViPfA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8cf0e549dde5e73bfc32273c02730656 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Catalina Sandino Moreno

">Catalina Sandino Moreno

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" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eHIle7HL3lB91VT8Ypmmbw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f328ec833eb3a07177e4eaf11b63ca43 class=caas-img data-headline="Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere" data-caption="

Joe Carnahan

">Joe Carnahan

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1 / 20Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Teyana Taylor attend Netflix's 'The Rip' premiere

Another day, another red carpet. 2026 is in full force for Hollywood A-listers jumping from red carpet to red carpet during this awards show season. Following the Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, in Los Angeles, stars like Teyana Taylor hopped on a plane and headed for the east coast to celebrate the premiere of Netflix's "The Rip" with costars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Scroll through to see more photos from the premiere on Jan. 13, 2026.

Matt, “Margaret” is one of my favorites of yours.

Damon: Thank you, that was four days of work for me (laughs).

And Ben, you should have won an Oscar for “Gone Girl.”

Damon: I feel like that movie got a lot of attention, but yeah, that one, too. I mean, I’ve always been his biggest fan because we were each other’s biggest fans when we didn’t have any other fans in the world.

Affleck: Biggest and only!

Damon: But I do think this happens in middle age, as we get more life under our belts, that there’s just been another level up for him this last decade. Like “The Last Duel,” which we wrote and nobody saw, but he’s incredible in that movie. “The Tender Bar,” going all the way up through “Air” – he’s just on a tear right now.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ben Affleck picks Matt Damon's most underrated movie

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”