AceShowbiz - Two Miami-Dade sheriff's officers have filed a lawsuit against the Netflix movie The Rip, which stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The officers, Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana, claim the film improperly portrays a real-life narcotics investigation linked to their department.

The complaint, submitted on Wednesday, accuses Artists Equity and Falco Productions of defamation and causing emotional distress. It centers on the movie’s depiction of a 2016 drug raid in Miami Lakes, during which authorities seized nearly $22 million in concealed cash and contraband. According to the lawsuit, the film and its promotional materials suggest misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior tied to an actual law enforcement operation.

While Smith and Santana are not explicitly named in the movie, the officers argue that the fictional characters closely resemble them, making the connection clear to anyone familiar with the case. The Rip, released earlier this year on Netflix, was promoted as being "inspired by true events" and follows Miami narcotics officers after uncovering millions of dollars during a raid.

The lawsuit also challenges the involvement of former officer Christopher Casiano, who is said to have inspired aspects of the story despite not participating in the original operation. Additionally, the filing mentions that another officer contacted Smith and Santana on behalf of writer-director Joe Carnahan, allegedly offering future consulting roles as an attempt to "make it right."

This legal action highlights the sensitivity around dramatizing real-life police operations, especially when those depicted feel the portrayal damages their reputation and causes distress. The case against Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and the production companies is ongoing as it moves through the courts.