Netflix Breaks Tradition with Performance Bonuses for Affleck and Damon’s ‘The Rip’

2026-01-10 companies

Los Angeles, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
In a significant departure from its standard upfront payment model, Netflix has agreed to performance-based bonuses for all 1,200 crew members of the upcoming film “The Rip.” This strategic pivot, negotiated by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, aligns compensation directly with viewership success.

A Structural Shift in Streaming Compensation

The agreement, which covers the entire workforce of 1,200 people involved in the production, marks a notable experiment for Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) as it moves away from its ‘cost-plus’ model [1][3]. Traditionally, the streaming giant has paid talent upfront fees—such as the $20 million paid to Dwayne Johnson for Red Notice—to buy out any potential backend profits, a strategy designed to hoard the upside of a hit [7]. However, for The Rip, compensation is now tied to the film’s performance metrics over its first 90 days on the platform [2][3][7]. If the film meets specific viewership thresholds during this window, the cast and crew will share in a bonus pool, effectively reintroducing the concept of residuals to the streaming era [3][7].

The Philosophy Behind Artists Equity

This negotiation was spearheaded by Artists Equity, the production studio founded by Affleck and Damon in late 2022 with backing from Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners [1][2]. The company was established with the specific intent to address inequities in the streaming economy, where the link between a film’s financial success and the compensation of its creators had been severed [2][7]. In an interview published on Friday, Affleck stated, “We wanted to institute fairness and address some of the real issues that are present and urgent for our business,” calling the deal “fundamental, philosophically” to the company’s mission [1][3]. RedBird Capital has committed over $100 million to this venture, supporting the duo’s push for a model that shares profits with below-the-line crew members as well as top-tier talent [2].

Production Details and Release Timeline

The Rip, a crime thriller produced on a budget of nearly $100 million, is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on January 16, 2026 [1][2][6]. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film features Affleck and Damon as Miami police officers whose trust is tested after discovering millions in cash at a stash house [3][6]. The ensemble cast also includes Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Sasha Calle [6]. As the film approaches its debut next week, its performance will be scrutinized not just by audiences, but by industry analysts observing whether this bonus structure can serve as a viable alternative to the escalating upfront costs that have defined the streaming wars [7].

Macro-Economic Context: The Warner Bros. Acquisition

This experiment in talent compensation occurs against the backdrop of massive consolidation in the media sector. Netflix recently signed a deal to acquire the film and television assets of Warner Bros. Discovery for $82.7 billion [2]. This acquisition, which took place just over a month prior to early January 2026, signals Netflix’s aggressive expansion and consolidation of legacy studio assets [1][2]. As the company integrates these massive traditional assets, the flexibility shown in the deal for The Rip suggests Netflix may be willing to adapt its rigid business models to accommodate the evolving demands of top-tier talent and production partners [1][7].

Sources

Streaming compensation Talent equity