Off the Rip: Are We the Good Guys?

[DISCLAIMER]

*The Rip (2026) spoilers contained herein.

Edited screengrab from The Rip, property of Netflix, fair use

If memory serves, I began listening to The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) in 2015, yet took time away from the podcast when Joe Rogan developed an exclusive deal with Spotify, and then refocused my attention to JRE when Rogan distributed content back to YouTube and Rumble.

While I don’t agree with everything that anyone says, I do appreciate the eclectic sample of people Rogan features on his audiovisual experience. Unfavorably, it seems as though Rogan’s most recent range of studio guests tends toward Hollywood celebrities.

Generally, I don’t like histrionic, neurotic, and vapid behavior of actors who appear to adore themselves far more than I imagine the audience does. Too bad for me! JRE isn’t my podcast, and no one is forcing me to consume Rogan’s content. Also, there’s a benefit to listening.

Choosing to actively subject myself to the narcissistic ramblings of an individual who could bore the paint off a wall when not given a script from which to read or cameras in front of which one may perform affords me an opportunity to practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

In consideration of this perspective shift, I watched a recent JRE episode featuring actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as they ostensibly shilled (acted as a spokesperson or promoter) for their latest film The Rip (2026). Summarizing the plot, one source states:

The murder of a captain has remained unsolved for six weeks, mired in bureaucratic delays, leaving the officers of Miami’s Tactical Narcotics Team restless and eager for justice. Seeking an outlet for their frustration and perhaps a chance to secure something for themselves, the team acts on a tip about a potential cartel stash.

What they uncover is far more than they anticipated. Inside a derelict stash house, they discover millions in cash, and with it, the fragile bonds of trust within the team begin to unravel. As news of the massive seizure spreads, outside forces close in, and everything comes into question—loyalties, motives, and even who they can truly trust.

As has been the manner by which films within our nation have been made for the past couple decades, predictable representation plagued by bigoted tropes which advantage diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility while disadvantaging supposed intolerance comprise the film.

For instance, masculine straight white males in modern film are allowable as long as they have a major character flaw or sympathetic characteristic. As an example, character Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) has a young son who died of cancer.

Tattooed on either of his hands is “A.W.T.G.G.” and “W.A.A.W.B.” At the end of the film, when empowered females of color with relatively few flaws prevail as their male counterparts struggle, character Desiree ‘Desi’ Lopez Molina (Sasha Calle) thusly discusses Dumars’ tattoos:

Dumars: Now, you wanna know what they mean?

Calle: [A.W.T.G.G.] Are we the good guys?

Dumars: Last thing that my son said to me [before dying of cancer in childhood].

Calle: [W.A.A.W.B.] We are, and always will be.

Dumars: Last thing I said to my son [before he died].

One can suspend perception of reality enough to appreciate the emotion-tugging scene. In order for this to occur, one empirically must also accept that drug cartels are relatively friendly, women of color are mostly infallible, and the element of cancer in a storyline establishes morality.

Suppose I grant this premise off the rip (urban slang meaning prima facie, on the first impression, from the beginning, immediately, right away, or as is). When thinking of this matter, rapper French Montana comes to mind.

Specifically, the track “Off the Rip (Remix)” featuring rapper A$AP Rocky, rapper Lil Wayne, rapper N.O.R.E., and the late rapper Chinx is of relevance. The song discusses similar criminal activities and methods for illegal enrichment which were featured in The Rip.

With “off the rip” in mind, I now invite you to consider a psychoeducational lesson on thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason)—or thinking that is irrational (either illogical or unreasonable, or both). For instance, consider the following syllogism:

Form (modus ponens) –

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Premise 1: If p, then q.

Premise 2: Affirm p.

Conclusion: Conclude q.

Bear in mind that the premises in an argument, proposition, or belief of this form will always lead to the conclusion. This is the case even when the premises aren’t true.

Equally important, in order to be considered rational the argument, proposition, or belief empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. (More on that in a bit.)

Example –

If you have a child dying of cancer and you’re a member of law enforcement, then you are and always will be a good guy.

You have a child dying of cancer and you’re a member of law enforcement.

Therefore, you are and always will be a good guy.

Moments ago, I stated that in order to be empirically rational, an argument, proposition, or belief must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. The syllogistic example I used herein follows logical form. However, do you consider the premises to be true statements? I don’t.

Notably, I differentiate between morals and ethics. A “moral” is a person’s standard of behavior or belief concerning what is and isn’t acceptable for the individual and other people. Morals thus relate to what’s considered good, bad, right, wrong, or otherwise acceptable or unacceptable.

An “ethic” is a set of moral principles, especially those relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct. Whereas morals relate to what is thought of as pleasing or displeasing behaviors and beliefs, ethics – based on morals – are the social rules by which we pledge to live.

For context, a principle is a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption that serves as a rule or code of conduct with habitual devotion to this subjective morally and ethically right standard. Thus, principles are a form of values (something intrinsically desirable).

With this understanding, I invite you to contemplate whether or not you concur with the inference related to having child dying of cancer and simultaneously being a member of law enforcement necessitates the moral and ethical title of a “good guy”. I don’t accept this claim.

“But, Deric,” you may contend, “Dumars wound up turning in over $20 million to federal officials (“feds”) rather than stealing the money! That makes him a good guy!” This argument is dismissed off the rip. First, in The Rip, Dumars had his tattoos prior to the ending scene.

He considered himself one of the “good guys” before handing money over to the feds. Thus, the act of foregoing theft was predicated on the fundamental notion that Dumars was inherently a good guy as is. Second, I argue that no fallible human beings are good, bad, or otherwise.

Regardless of an ailing family member, one’s occupation, or decision not to steal over $20 million, Dumars as a character – or a direct or indirect representation of actual individuals – is not his behavior. He can behave in a good or bad fashion, though he cannot be good or bad.

While there’s doubtlessly room for improvement, people are good enough as is (i.e., acceptable). Here, I’m not discussing thoughts, beliefs, emotions, sensations, or behavior. Explicitly, I’m stating that fallible human beings may be appraised as worthwhile simply for existing.

Therefore, a dad whose son has died of cancer isn’t good. Neither was his child. That same dad who serves as a member of law enforcement isn’t good. Neither are his colleagues. Moreover, that man who turns over more than $20 million rather than stealing any money isn’t a good guy.

Instead, that dad, cop, or man is merely a fallible human being who’s capable of committing deeds which are good, bad, and otherwise. That’s it. A.W.T.G.G.? Nope. W.A.A.W.B. Not at all. A.W.F.H.B. [are we fallible human beings]? From birth till death! That’s all we can be!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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