Starting January 16, The Rip is available on Netflix, a film starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck that represents a turning point in the relationship between streaming platforms and film production. Produced by Artists Equity, the company founded by Damon and Affleck three years ago, the film is the result of an agreement Netflix had never accepted before.
Artists Equity operates with a distinctive economic model based on profit-sharing among all those involved in making the film, including the crew. Everyone receives a lower but fair upfront fee, with additional compensation tied to the film’s profits. This approach allows the company to produce ambitious, adult-oriented films outside major franchises, keeping initial costs under control while betting on success driven by the founders’ influence and market appeal.
With The Rip, Netflix agreed to purchase the film for exclusive streaming, paying a lower-than-usual upfront fee combined with a performance-based bonus linked to viewing hours in the first 90 days, with a capped maximum. It is a rare exception for a platform that typically does not provide additional compensation in case of success.
While Netflix has stressed that this deal does not signal a broader change in strategy, for Artists Equity it is a significant achievement. It reinforces the viability of a model designed to support mid-budget, quality-driven films for adult audiences—projects that have become increasingly difficult to sustain in the current streaming economy.
Photo Credits: PxHere
