Anya Taylor-Joy has not so quietly become one of the biggest movie stars in the world in the last few years. While most would rightfully credit her outstanding performance in The Queen’s Gambit as her breakout role, she was starring in darker, ritualistic hits like The Witch for Robert Eggers years before. Back in 2024, she teamed up with Chris Hemsworth for the blockbuster sci-fi prequel, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which has been one of the most popular movies on HBO Max for over a year now. She continued this sci-fi momentum into 2025, when she teamed up with Miles Teller (star of Top Gun: Maverick) for The Gorge, the Apple TV original that also features Sigourney Weaver. ATJ’s work with Apple TV is far from done, though, and she’s returning to the platform this summer for one of the most exciting new releases of the year.

Anya Taylor-Joy has been tapped to star in Apple TV’s new crime thriller series, Lucky, which will premiere this summer on July 15. As part of our Exclusive Summer Preview Event here at Collider, we’re thrilled to partner with Apple TV to exclusively preview a new image of Taylor-Joy in the show, which also stars Timothy Olyphant (The Mandalorian) and William Fichtner (Prison Break). After the success of The Gorge, which is still one of Apple TV’s most popular movies more than a year removed from its premiere, Lucky can safely be considered one of the most anticipated projects of the year for Apple TV. The show is based on the novel of the same name by Marissa Stapley, with Hillary Bettis, Cassie Pappas, Mark Stassenko, and even Jonathan Tropper working as writers. Apple TV previously released the first teaser and images for Lucky back in February.

What Is ‘Lucky’ About?

Image via Apple TV

Lucky follows a reformed criminal (Anya Taylor-Joy) who is forced to confront her past and return to illicit activities for one final job with the hopes of securing her freedom and leaving behind her former life once and for all. Lucky will consist of seven episodes, and with Apple TV dropping the first two at once on July 15, this means the show will conclude on August 19, barely a month after its debut. The future of Lucky beyond Season 1 has yet to be decided, but with stars like Anya Taylor-Joy and Timothy Olyphant involved, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it return for a second season.

Check out the new image from Lucky above and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the show ahead of its July 15 premiere date.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

July 15, 2026

Network

Apple TV

Advertisement

Showrunner

Jonathan Tropper, Cassie Pappas, Jonathan van Tulleken

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Katt Williams was not afraid to go there during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart.

Williams, 54, cracked a joke about comedian and actor Kevin Hart attending Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ parties during the live comedy special in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 10.

“Just because Kevin went to Diddy parties does not mean he did something wrong,” Williams quipped, adding, “The fact he gets all quiet when you bring it up … that means he did something wrong.”

Diddy is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence following his 2025 conviction on two counts of transportation for prostitution. He was also fined $500,000 and given five years supervised release following a lengthy federal trial. The disgraced music mogul was acquitted of two sex trafficking charges and one charge of racketeering conspiracy.

Related: What Celebs Have Said About Diddy’s Infamous Parties Over the Years

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ infamous parties are being called into question amid the rapper’s legal troubles. After facing several sexual assault and abuse allegations from multiple people, Diddy, 54, was arrested in New York City on September 16 and later charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. In his 14-page indictment, Diddy was accused of orchestrating parties […]

Diddy has maintained his innocence against all charges.

During his trial, which began in May 2025 and concluded in July, several witnesses testified about attending sexual parties dubbed “freak offs,” including the star’s former girlfriend, Cassie.

Cassie, 39, claimed on the stand that baby oil was frequently used at these parties, recalling one instance of a kiddie “pool filled with baby oil” during an alleged event in Beverly Hills.

“If Sean wanted it to happen, that was what was going to happen. There was no way around it,” she claimed. “We used 10 bottles of baby oil, regular size.”

Advertisement

Related: Diddy Doc Claims He Hosted Freak Offs to Mark Biggie’s Death Anniversary

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged “freak off” parties were a major topic of discussion during his trial earlier this year, so it’s not surprising that they also play a role in the new docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning. In the third episode of the Netflix series, former male escort Clayton Howard details his alleged encounters with […]

Cassie claimed that all attendees at these parties, including herself, would lather themselves in the baby oil.

“Sean wanted it heated, and he wanted it to be glistening, so we applied every five minutes,” she alleged.

Cassie further claimed that Astroglide lubricant and condoms were readily available at the events and that the baby oil would often get on the walls and door handles of hotel rooms used. She alleged that blood and urine were sometimes present on bedsheets at “freak offs” because Diddy, 56, directed escorts to urinate on her and she was “expected” to participate even when menstruating.

During Sunday’s roast, Williams also addressed his past criticism of Hart, whom he once accused of being an industry plant.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

“Kevin, you gonna hear some things tonight that you’re not familiar with. Those things are called punchlines,” Williams said. “Is this dance the best that the industry could put together? I’m not sure if the Illuminati is real or if this is the junior varsity version. But for those of you just joining us, Kevin and I have beef, and I’ll tell you why. Because, privately, this motherf***er stole everything from me. Before he saw my act, he was a 6-foot man. I tried to tell y’all that Kevin Hart was a plant, because I keep burying him. He keeps springing back the f*** up, just like a plant.”

Williams continued, “Yes, I said some things I’d like to take back, some things I said were misunderstood. I did say that he was a Hollywood puppet, and I want to explain that because it might not be what you think. I meant that the head of Netflix literally has his whole hand up Kevin’s ass and can make him do anything.”

The Roast of Kevin Hart is streaming on Netflix.

On Sunday—aka Mother’s Day—Michael Blackson hopped on X and dropped a post that had timelines doing a full stop. The comedian wrote, “I love my kids so much that i gave them their own mothers. Happy Mother’s day to ya modasuckas.” And just like that, the internet had plenty to say. The timing alone was enough to raise eyebrows, but it was the delivery that really set things off. While some users chalked it up to his usual unfiltered humor, others felt the message completely missed the mark.

I love my kids so much that i gave them their own mothers. Happy Mother’s day to ya modasuckas.

— Michael Blackson (@MichaelBlackson) May 10, 2026

Furthermore, Michael Blackson took to his IG Stories on Mother’s Day with a noticeably softer tone, shifting from his usual shock-value humor to a series of heartfelt shoutouts dedicated to the mothers connected to his children. He highlighted Nadia, the mother of his 9-month-old son Kweku, praising her for traveling with their baby from Africa to Europe and now Hawaii, calling it a beautiful example of motherhood and wishing her a happy Mother’s Day.

He also reflected on how quickly time is moving as another one of his children approaches a milestone birthday, while sending love to his “ride or die” Rada and asking her to let their son give her a kiss since he was working. Additionally, Blackson continued the stream of messages by acknowledging the mothers of Niko and Noah, crediting them for raising “perfect sons,” offering a rare, more reflective glimpse into his blended family dynamic.

Didn’t He Just Welcome Newborns?

Blackson had recently given fans a softer glimpse into his home life when he shared a compilation video of himself bonding with his infant sons, Michael Jr. and King Kweku. The post showed him taking in a milestone moment as the babies reportedly born in June 2025, and King in August 2025—were seen interacting for the first time. Ultimately, it marked a tender snapshot of his life as a new father to two newborns born just weeks apart.

In the clip, he appeared emotional while watching them play together, clearly soaking in the experience. He captioned the post, “What a beautiful day, for the first time I got to see my boys play together… I have no idea how this happened but it’s the best feeling in the world and I won’t trade it for anything. Thank you God for two new healthy boys.”

RELATED: Daddy Duties! Michael Blackson Shares Adorable Video Of His Toddlers Born Two Months Apart (WATCH)

Some thrillers hit harder because they feel like they’re playing five minutes into the future. This one has always lived in that uncomfortable space, where the danger is not a masked killer or a bomb under a table, but a line of code, a foreign adversary, and the horrible realization that an entire country can be destabilized before most people know anything is happening. Now, the series is returning with a fresh wave of tension, and the timing still feels annoyingly plausible.

The Undeclared War returns on August 27, 2026, with the new season set in 2024 as the elite Malware Department at GCHQ deals with the aftermath of a devastating Russian cyber-attack. Just when it seems the UK has gained the upper hand, Danny and his team discover a mole in their midst and uncover a far more dangerous threat. So, yes, a normal day at work, if your job involves national security, betrayal, and everyone pretending not to panic in government offices.

The cast includes Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Mission: Impossible — Fallout) as Danny Patrick, Siân Brooke (Sherlock, Blue Lights), Hannah Khalique-Brown (The Undeclared War, Red Rose), Alex Jennings (The Crown, A Very English Scandal), Danny Sapani (Black Panther, Penny Dreadful), Ed Stoppard (The Pianist, Knightfall), and Chloe Pirrie (The Queen’s Gambit, The Victim).

Why Is ‘The Undeclared War’ Still So Unnerving?

When the first season launched, Pegg spoke about the real-world anxieties behind the show and why its cyber-war setup felt so frightening. Discussing the series on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, Pegg said one of the most interesting things he discovered was the existence of troll farms where people pretend to be British online, use British slang and hashtags, and deliberately provoke arguments that are then amplified by bots.

“The discourse just becomes shouting, and it destabilises our society. That’s actively happening,” Pegg said. He also warned that people engaging in political conversations online may be interacting with “a foreign adversary without realising it,” adding, “It’s so pervasive and other places are all over it.”

The Undeclared War is not just about hackers typing very fast in dark rooms, though, legally, every cyber-thriller must include at least some of that. Pegg also said that “nothing in the show hasn’t happened, or hasn’t been war gamed by our Ministry of cyber defence,” calling the subject “pretty scary.” He later summed up the show’s nastiest idea in one blunt line: “Information is power. Really now it’s becoming about not who’s telling the truth, but who’s telling the biggest lie the loudest. That’s terrifying.”

The series is created by Peter Kosminsky and Colin Callender, with Colin Teevan, Amy Ng, Emily Marcuson, and Roland Walters writing the new season. Paul McGuigan directs, while executive producers include Callender, Daniel Gratton, and Noëlette Buckley for Playground, Kosminsky for Stonehenge Films, Teevan, and McGuigan. The series comes from Playground, Stonehenge Films, and Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The Undeclared War returns August 27, 2026 on Peacock.

Advertisement

Release Date

2022 – 2022-00-00

Advertisement

Network

Channel 4

Advertisement

Directors

Peter Kosminsky

Writers

Advertisement

Declan Lawn, Amelia Spencer

Advertisement

• 

  Alex Reid

  Colonel Pauline Keele

  Advertisement
• 

  Daniel O’Meara

  Newscaster

• 

  David Prosho

  Advertisement

  Steve Cleary

• 

  Kerry Godliman

  Angie McMurray

  Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Khloé Kardashian is having another go at a skin-tightening treatment she has grown to love. On her Instagram Story, the mother of two revealed she was going in for her fourth Sofwave session, one of several cosmetic procedures she has tried over the years.

Khloé has remained open about her beauty treatments, even as she continues to face criticism on the internet.

Taking fans along on her aesthetic routine is something Khloé has grown accustomed to, and her recent decision to undergo another Sofwave treatment was no exception. The business mogul recently took to her Instagram Story to share the journey with her fans, marking the fourth time she has undergone the procedure.

In the post, Khloé gave her fans an insider look at how the device works, which reportedly uses noninvasive ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen at a precise depth in the dermis.

The result is a gradual tightening of the skin without downtime, and in Khloé’s case, the target areas are her jawline and cheeks.

Khloé Has Been Open About Her Cosmetic Work

Khloé once admitted to having had a nose job ahead of her daughter True’s birthday in 2019, as was reported by PEOPLE. The following year, she revealed it was something she had always wanted to do and wished she had done sooner.

Out of necessity, she also underwent laser treatments and fillers between 2022 and 2023 to help repair the indentation and scar tissue left on her face after she had a tumor removed.

She later shared in 2025 that she had also tried “Botox and Sculptra” injections to further help heal the scars, but admitted at the time that Botox wasn’t really her thing.

Other treatments Khloé has used on different occasions include “collagen baby threads” for her neck and chin, salmon sperm facials, and laser hair removal.

Khloé Kardashian Was Offended By “Face Transplant” Claims

Due to her numerous cosmetic procedures, Khloé has faced repeated criticism from people who take issue with her appearance.

Advertisement

She was particularly offended by those who accused her of having a “face transplant,” a claim that came from critics who argued she looked different every week.

Speaking on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast in 2022, Khloé directly addressed the criticism, saying it left her confused because she had never undergone such a procedure.

“I just couldn’t figure out why people thought that,” she said at the time. “Like, I want everyone to know … I don’t care to lie about it. But the transplant thing, I just want to understand why. That sounds amazing later in life, but now, I’m good.”

Khloé Once Denied Having Breast Implants

Last year, Khloé shut down claims that she had undergone a breast implant procedure while celebrating her 40th birthday.

Although her chest appeared larger than usual in the outfit she wore for the occasion, the reality star explained that the look was simply due to the corset she had on.

Advertisement

“You know a good corset will cinch your waist and give you tatas, so I’m living my double-D life that I’ve always wanted but just for the night,” Khloé said in the March 6 episode of Hulu’s “The Kardashians” in 2025.

She further admitted that she loved the fuller look the corset gave her, as she wasn’t used to seeing herself that way.

Khloé Kardashian Recalled Being Treated Differently Over Her Weight

Beyond undergoing cosmetic procedures, Khloé has also lost a significant amount of weight over the years, something she said aligned with her personal preferences. However, she took issue with the fact that people began treating her better after her physical appearance changed.

“When I was chubbier, I used to get very different treatment than Kourtney and Kim got,” the entrepreneur said in a recent episode of her “Khloé in Wonder Land” podcast, per PEOPLE Magazine. “When I lost a lot of weight and started looking different, the treatment I started getting was so much better.”

In the episode, she shared that their behavior made her feel “gross,” adding that she still holds a grudge against those who were “mean or rude to me but great to Kourtney and Kim.”

Prime Video has become and continues to be a one-stop shop for some of the best crime thriller content on streaming. Easily the king of the genre is Alan Ritchson‘s Reacher, which has become one of the most popular shows on streaming let alone Prime Video. Other examples of hit shows currently streaming on the platform include Aldis Hodge‘s Cross, Nicole Kidman‘s Scarpetta, and more, all of which make regular appearances on Prime Video’s Top 10 charts.

Still, those are all television series, and all ones based on beloved established IP at that. What about original crime feature films? Well, Amazon MGM released a surprise sleeper hit in that category earlier this year with Crime 101, directed by Bart Layton and featuring a stellar ensemble cast that consists of several Marvel stars. Boasting an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 88%, Crime 101 stars Chris Hemsworth (Avengers: Doomsday), Mark Ruffalo (Spider-Man: Brand New Day), Barry Keoghan (The Batman), Halle Berry (X-Men), Corey Hawkins (The Odyssey), Nick Nolte (The Mandalorian), and Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick).

Chris Hemsworth stars as Davis — a dedicated a professional thief who soon gets caught up in the the heist of the century while Detective Lou (Ruffalo) is hot on his trail. Critics praised Crime 101 for its heist thriller and LA noir elements, drawing comparisons to seminal hits like Heat and Drive. However, despite that critical acclaim, Crime 101 still underperformed at the box office and failed to recoup its $90 million budget. Thankfully, it is finding some continued success on streaming, as it is currently the #1 movie on Prime Video, beating out Mark Wahlberg‘s new hit comedy Balls Up.

What’s Next for the Cast of ‘Crime 101’?

Chris Hemsworth, of course, will be officially reprising his ongoing role as Thor Odinson in Avengers: Doomsday, where he’ll reunite with Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., and more. Notably absent from Doomsday‘s cast is Mark Ruffalo, but he’ll still be returning to the MCU as Bruce Banner in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. There’s also been rampant speculation that Halle Berry could reprise her role as Storm in Doomsday given the X-Men‘s prominent role in the film, and while Berry has denied her involvement in the movie, Hemsworth has expressed interest in getting his Crime 101 co-star involved with the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars. As for the rest of Crime 101‘s cast, Barry Keoghan is expected to reprise his role as Joker in The Batman: Part II, Corey Hawkins is a part of the impressive ensemble cast of The Odyssey, and Monica Barbaro will next be seen in the new rom-com One Night Only.

Crime 101 is streaming now on Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

February 13, 2026

Runtime

Advertisement

140 Minutes

Director

Bart Layton

Advertisement

Writers

Bart Layton, Peter Straughan

Advertisement

Producers

Derrin Schlesinger, Eric Fellner, Shane Salerno, Tim Bevan, Chris Hemsworth, Ben Grayson, Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Originally deemed a failure when it hit theaters in 1982, Blade Runner has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed and influential science fiction films of all time. And while you can explore the movie’s sequels, novels, and comic books, you’ll soon have an all-new way to walk the neon-lit streets of a future Los Angeles. Collider is proud to exclusively announce that a new Blade Runner immersive experience is being developed by Behaviour Interactive and PHI Studio, and will be released in 2027.

The new immersive experience will plunge viewers into the high-tech urban dystopia of Blade Runner 2049, letting them experience that fully realized science fiction world like never before. Collider had a chance to talk to Dominique Lebel, Senior Vice-President at Behaviour Interactive, and Julie Tremblay, General Manager at PHI Studio about the upcoming project. Lebel discussed the relevance of Blade Runner today, and how the project will be a universal experience:

Blade Runner depicts a world where the line between human and artificial is becoming increasingly blurred. The dystopian world depicted in Blade Runner may seem increasingly real today, which is why it remains as powerful as ever. The immersive experience will allow visitors to dive back into this universe, to confront it while enjoying a powerful interactive and visual experience. The experience is designed for everyone, not just Blade Runner fans.

Tremblay, meanwhile, emphasized Blade Runner‘s prophetic nature when it came to its vision of the future, and the still-unanswered questions that it raises:

The questions at the core of this universe; What makes us human? Who holds power? What do we owe each other in a world shaped by technology? Are the questions we’re all living with right now. The parallels are somehow more real than ever, which is what makes this universe thrilling!

Tremblay also revealed that while fans will recognize the aesthetics and themes of Blade Runner, this is “not a film adaptation or a traditional exhibition.” Rather, it is “a premium, multisensory experience combining immersive environments, cinematic visuals, spatialized sound, interactivity, and physical exploration. We want people to feel fully surrounded by the world of Blade Runner — its beauty, tension, mystery, and scale.” She went on to say that she wants everyone who experiences it to share it together in the same way:

The dream is that different generations can experience it together — people who grew up with the films and younger audiences discovering Blade Runner for the first time — and all leave equally excited by the world.

The experience was developed in collaboration with Alcon Entertainment, the holder of the Blade Runner intellectual property rights. It will be unveiled in several North American cities starting in 2027.

What Is ‘Blade Runner’?

Loosely adapted from the Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner centers around Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a “blade runner” charged with finding rogue replicants (artificial human beings). As he searches for a group led by the crafty and deadly Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), he becomes entangled with Rachael (Sean Young), a beautiful replicant who is unaware of her true nature…and starts to wonder if he, too, is unaware of his own real origins. Directed by Ridley Scott, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, and featuring music by Vangelis and conceptual designs by Syd Mead, the noir-tinged film was a financial and critical disappointment upon its 1982 release, but soon became a cult classic, and is considered one of the pillars of the cyberpunk genre. Scott, who was never fully satisfied with the changes the studio made to the original film, has released a number of director’s cuts, culminating in 2007’s definitive The Final Cut.

After it achieved cult success, Blade Runner became a franchise, with a number of novels and comic books spinning out of the original film. A 2017 sequel movie, Blade Runner 2049, featured an older Deckard working with police replicant K (Ryan Gosling) to find the miraculous offspring of a deceased replicant. A new Prime Video series, Blade Runner 2099, is now in post-production; it will star Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schaefer.

The Blade Runner immersive experience will be released in 2027. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

June 25, 1982

Runtime

118 minutes

Advertisement

Writers

David Webb Peoples, Hampton Fancher, Philip K. Dick

Advertisement

Producers

Michael Deeley, Run Run Shaw

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Some action movies try to explain themselves through endless exposition and mythology, but Motor City looks perfectly comfortable letting pure atmosphere take control instead. The first teaser for the upcoming Alan Ritchson-led revenge thriller throws audiences directly into the wreckage and trusts the visuals to carry the weight. Honestly, that confidence is exactly what makes it feel exciting, even based on the short teaser trailer.

Set in 1970s Detroit, the film stars Ritchson as a man framed for a crime he did not commit who returns home looking for revenge against the people responsible. Directed by Potsy Ponciroli, the movie contains only five spoken lines of dialogue. That alone immediately separates it from most modern action movies, but the teaser makes it clear the silence is not some marketing gimmick designed to sound impressive in interviews. The lack of dialogue feels fully embedded into the movie’s identity. After years of increasingly overstuffed action blockbusters drowning themselves in exposition, franchise setup, and endless mythology, there is something refreshing about a film willing to let roaring engines, shattered headlights, smoke-filled streets, and bloodied fists do the storytelling instead.

‘Motor City’ Looks Built Around Alan Ritchson’s Strengths

Image via Stampede Ventures

One of the biggest reasons Reacher became such a breakout success is because Ritchson understands physical presence better than most modern action stars. He rarely needs long speeches or constant one-liners to dominate a scene, and Motor City looks specifically designed around those strengths. The teaser transforms Ritchson into a looming figure wandering through decaying Detroit, and because the movie reportedly uses almost no dialogue and the teaser communicates its silence well, every glance and movement suddenly carries more weight. That kind of storytelling demands a lead actor capable of holding attention without constant explanation, and Ritchson has been proving for years that he can do exactly that. Most audiences know him for blunt-force charisma and sheer physical dominance. Motor City looks to be taking those qualities and channeling them into something grimier, moodier, and more stylized. The teaser leans heavily into atmosphere, body language, and visual storytelling, creating the sense that this could become one of the most distinctive performances of Ritchson’s career.

The Near-Silent Approach Gives ‘Motor City’ Its Entire Identity

A revenge thriller with only five lines of dialogue sounds ridiculous on paper, which is probably part of why the concept feels so compelling. Modern blockbusters rarely trust visual storytelling alone anymore. Silence often feels treated like a problem that needs to be resolved immediately, while Motor City appears ready to weaponize it. Even without dialogue, the teaser feels incredibly loud because the imagery itself carries so much aggression. The film’s willingness to commit so heavily to a visual identity already helps Motor City stand apart from most modern action thrillers. Too many streaming action movies flatten themselves into the same gray blur of interchangeable fight choreography and disposable digital visuals. Motor City already feels sweaty, loud, dirty, and unapologetically stylized. The movie carries an actual personality, which is something many modern action thrillers struggle to maintain.

Jack White Might Be the Movie’s Secret Weapon

Image via IFC

The other major reason the teaser lands so effectively is the music. Having Jack White‘s music backing such a visually and conceptually unique revenge thriller is a perfect pairing (seriously, it’s a Detroit-based film with White’s music, can it get more perfect?), and there’s no question that his gritty garage-rock sound will add to the film’s personality and energy. The supporting cast only adds to the intrigue. Alongside Ritchson, the film also stars Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Ben McKenzie, and Stephen Dorff, which is a strong lineup that should be able to support something so aggressively strange. What makes the teaser especially exciting is that nobody involved seems interested in sanding down the movie’s weirdness to make it feel safer or more commercial. A lot of action movies promise grit, but Motor City actually looks grimy in a way most modern action movies avoid entirely. And if the teaser is any indication, the movie may hit like a tire iron straight to the ribs.

Advertisement

Release Date

July 24, 2026

Advertisement

Runtime

103 Minutes

Director

Advertisement

Potsy Ponciroli

Writers

Chad St. John

Advertisement

Producers

Greg Silverman, Jon Berg, Chad St. John, Cliff Roberts

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s company Artists Equity is the subject of a lawsuit alleging defamation against two Miami law enforcement officials who inspired its film The Rip.

According to a report by Entertainment Weekly, published on Saturday, May 9, Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana, two police officers from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, are suing the actors’ production company over their depictions in the Netflix movie, created by Artists Equity and released on January 16.

As the outlet pointed out, Smith and Santana are not mentioned or referenced to by name in the film, however the lawsuit alleges that performances by Affleck, 53, and Damon, 55, were “so heavily associated with the two officers” that the film caused “substantial harm to their personal and professional reputations.”

Us Weekly has reached out to Artists Equity and representatives for Affleck and Damon for comment.

The outlet stated that the lawsuit, which is reportedly seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney fees, is also the result of the film and its advertisements implying “misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior in connection with a real law enforcement operation.”

The lawsuit reportedly accuses “Damon’s LLC production company Falco Productions of defamation per se and defamation by implication.” There is also an alleged claim made by the officers detailed as “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

Damon and Affleck star as Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Detective Sergeant JD Byrne, respectively, in The Rip. It follows their journey after discovering $20 million of cartel cash and subsequently unearthing corruption within the Miami-Dade Police Department. As widely reported around the film’s release, the plot is based on the true story of Miami police officer Chris Casiano who served as the head of the department’s Tactical Narcotics Team in 2016 when a cash stash was uncovered.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Per the outlet’s reporting, Smith and Santana’s lawsuit details that the pair themselves “seized more than $21 million in June 2016,” as part of the event. The pair reportedly allege that “the film’s use of unique, non-generic details of the June 29, 2016, investigation, combined with its Miami-Dade setting and portrayal of a narcotics team, creates a reasonable inference that the officers depicted are Plaintiffs.”

The lawsuit also alleges that Smith and Santana’s lawyers sent the companies responsible for the film a letter “enumerating the allegedly defamatory details in the movie and demanded that they cease and desist from releasing it in December 2025.

Per the lawsuit, a representative for the companies “after the film was released,” and alleged that the concerns were “unfounded because the film did not expressly name Sergeant Smith and there was no implication that the Plaintiffs engaged in any misconduct in the film.”