Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Netflix crime drama The Rip has drawn unexpected legal attention months after its release. A new report claims the film’s portrayal of law enforcement has now become the center of a developing dispute involving real Miami-Dade officers.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck face lawsuits from Miami police officers

Entertainment Weekly reported that Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officers Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana sued Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s company, Artists Equity, for defamation.

The lawsuit claims Netflix crime drama The Rip damaged the officers’ reputations through depictions of corruption and misconduct. Specifically, Smith and Santana allege the movie and promotional materials “imply misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior in connection with a real law enforcement operation.”

The lawsuit targets Artists Equity and Falco Productions, Affleck and Damon’s production company. Additionally, the officers accuse the companies of defamation per se, defamation by implication, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Representatives for Affleck, Damon, and Artists Equity did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Netflix declined comment because it is not named in the lawsuit.

The Rip follows Lt. Dane Dumars, played by Damon, and Detective Sgt. J.D. Byrne, played by Affleck. In the film, the characters uncover corruption after finding $20 million tied to cartel money within the Miami-Dade Police Department. According to the complaint, the movie used details from a June 29, 2016, investigation involving Smith and Santana. During that operation, the officers seized more than $21 million.

Furthermore, Smith and Santana argue the film’s Miami-Dade setting and narcotics team closely resemble their real assignments. The complaint references scenes where police characters violate procedures, including one involving a DEA agent’s death. Attorneys for the officers stated, “aside from the fact that a large seizure occurred, the events portrayed in the film did not happen.”

The lawsuit also states colleagues and relatives connected the officers to corruption portrayed in the movie. Attorneys claim viewers assumed the officers used seized money for “personal property improvements, purchase vehicles and vessels, and afford private schooling for their children.”

As a result, Smith and Santana seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and “a public retraction and correction,” including “the addition of a prominent disclaimer” to the film.