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In the Netflix original film “The Rip,” long-time friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck team up as police officers embroiled in a high-stakes raid on a stash house. They and their team discover a staggering $20 million, presenting a moral dilemma: should they divide the money among themselves or hand it over to authorities? While the movie delivers heart-pounding action, critics, including Looper, have noted that it doesn’t fully reach its potential. Still, the unexpected twists might not be the only aspect raising questions among viewers; the film concludes with a poignant dedication to Jake William Casiano, leaving audiences curious about its significance.
Claire Folger/Netflix
Director Joe Carnahan has revealed that “The Rip” is inspired by real events shared by his friend, Chris Casiano, who experienced a similar raid. Unfortunately, the film’s connection to reality is deeper than just the storyline. Like a character in the movie, Chris Casiano tragically lost his 11-year-old son, Jake, to leukemia. At the film’s conclusion, a tribute reads: “In Loving Memory of Jake William Casiano.”
In a conversation with Gold Derby, Carnahan recounted an emotional moment when he and Chris Casiano first watched “The Rip” together. He emphasized the decision to feature Jake’s tribute prominently before the credits roll, saying, “It was really important to me that [Jake] be the first name you see, because you understood that there was a beating heart at the center.”
The tribute to Jake Casiano extends beyond the film’s credits, shaping the emotional depth of Matt Damon’s character, Lieutenant Dane Dumars. Struggling with the loss of his son, Dane becomes a focal point of mistrust for his partner JD Byrne, played by Ben Affleck. In JD’s eyes, the personal tragedies Dane has endured—his son’s death and a broken marriage—might tempt him to take his share of the $20 million and disappear.
Joe Carnahan expressed his careful approach to integrating a personal tragedy into the crime thriller. Though many films draw inspiration from grim realities, Carnahan wanted to honor his friend’s experience respectfully. He explained to Gold Derby, “It’s tricky because you gotta go to your friend and say, ‘I don’t want this to feel exploitative or cheap, and I don’t want to take advantage of the memory of your boy. Can we create a vessel with which to put this grief and sadness into, and maybe turn it into something where it’s this living monument to Jake for his short time here on Earth?’” Chris Casiano agreed and contributed as a technical advisor on the film.
Jake William Casiano also inspires Matt Damon’s character arc in The Rip
Claire Folger/Netflix
While “The Rip” might not rank among the all-time great thrillers, understanding the story behind Jake William Casiano adds a significant emotional layer. The film thoughtfully explores themes of enduring hardship and maintaining integrity, resonating as a powerful cinematic tribute.
Joe Carnahan also told Gold Derby that he was cautious about incorporating a friend’s real-life tragedy into his crime thriller. Although “The Rip” is just one of many movies inspired by dark true stories, Carnahan explained, “It’s tricky, because you gotta go to your friend and say, ‘I don’t want this to feel exploitive or cheap, and I don’t want to take advantage of the memory of your boy … Can we create a vessel with which to put this grief and sadness into, and maybe turn it into something where it’s this living monument to Jake for his short time here on Earth?’” Chris Casiano was okay with the inclusion and served as a technical advisor on “The Rip.”
“The Rip” may never stack up among the best thrillers of all time, but knowing the backstory of Jake William Casiano helps elevate the film’s emotional core. The idea that people can suffer so much and still stick up for their morals is a very worthwhile theme for any movie.
