Netflix Star Reveals Their Character In ‘The Rip’ Is Based on a Real Person

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Netflix has released a new thriller called The Rip. It’s a gripping story about a team of Miami police officers, led by characters played by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who stumble upon a hidden warehouse filled with millions of dollars. This discovery throws them into a dangerous situation and tests their integrity as they grapple with temptation.

Joe Carnahan directed the film, which features Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Kyle Chandler (also appearing in the upcoming DCU show Lanterns), Steven Yeun, Sasha Calle, and other talented actors.

TopMob interviewed Catalina Sandino Moreno, known for her role in the recent John Wick spin-off Ballerina. Moreno, who plays Detective Lolo Salazar in the film, shared that her character was inspired by a real Miami police officer she had the chance to meet and learn from before filming began.

The actress shared that her character was inspired by a real police officer. This officer is from Miami and used to work with the tactical narcotics team. Morena described her as a very strong and determined individual.

A defining characteristic of this woman was that she was the sole female graduate in her class. She faced an uphill battle, graduating alongside men who weren’t supportive of her success. Morena explained that this hardship became a source of strength, particularly when it came to her dedication to Lolo.

Morena explained that the detective Lolo Salazar in The Rip is a strong character, but she’s also a mother. This gives her a unique perspective – she feels she can’t die because she needs to be there for her children.

The story centers around the temptation to steal a large sum of money, and how each character wrestles with that possibility. Detective Lolo Salazar, as Morena described, is a single mother struggling financially, and even a small amount of money could dramatically improve her life.

We also interviewed director Joe Carnahan of The Rip, in addition to Catalina Sandino Moreno. You can find the full interviews below.

The Rip is now streaming on Netflix.

Catalina Sandino Moreno Based Detective Lolo Salazar on a Real Miami Cop

“This Woman, She’s Very Strong as a Person, as a Woman, She’s Very Determined.”

  • TopMob: “My first question for you is, I just wanted to start by breaking down Detective Lolo Salazar, just as a detective, what do you think are the core principles that make her a good cop?”

Catalina Sandino Moreno’s character is, first and foremost, a dedicated mother and a skilled police officer. I actually modeled her after a real officer I spoke with – a strong, determined woman from Miami who worked on the tactical narcotics team. Getting to learn from her was a great experience.

She was among the top three graduates in her class. She graduated around the year 2000 and was the only woman in her graduating class. She faced challenges because her male classmates didn’t appreciate the competition she presented, but she persevered and succeeded. Speaking with her was incredibly inspiring, and it’s a source of strength I draw upon when thinking about Lolo.

As a movie fan, what really grabbed me about this character is the internal conflict. She’s incredibly tough, walking into dangerous situations with all sorts of unknowns, but she’s also a mom. It’s that push and pull – she needs that strength to do her job, but she’s also acutely aware that she has to come home. It’s not just about being a good cop, it’s about knowing she can’t afford to become a statistic, because her kids need her. That vulnerability, combined with her bravery, is what makes her so compelling, at least to me.

  • TopMob: “We just talked about her strengths, but I want to also address her potential weaknesses, because the film really focuses on the temptation of taking this money from this stash house, because it’s just sitting there. What would you say is Lolo’s weakness that really drives her to even consider the possibility that that’s something she would ever do?”

I wouldn’t say it’s a matter of being weak, but rather being tempted. This woman has children and struggles financially – even a small amount of money could really improve her life. So, it’s something I’d definitely consider. Of course, if the money comes from criminals, I know there would be consequences, possibly even death. But it’s easy money, just sitting there waiting to be taken.

It might seem easy to dismiss a missing $20,000, but those involved will eventually notice. They keep track of their money, and when they realize it’s gone, they’ll come after you – and not just you, but your entire family. This is because you’re dealing with dangerous people. So, it’s a dangerous temptation, and money is incredibly alluring.

  • TopMob: “What was it like working with your dog co-star?”

I really thought I’d be good with this dog. I love kids and animals, and I have a small dog of my own, so I was excited. I just want to play with him and help him get comfortable around me.

I began to notice I was having an allergic reaction to the dog. I started getting hives and itchy skin, which was really strange. The hair and makeup artists suggested I might be allergic, but I didn’t think that was possible. But the more time I spent with him, even just a lick, could cause a raised bump on my skin. It was a difficult situation.

Honestly, watching this dog get trained was amazing! He was such a natural. They could tell him to bark, and he’d do it perfectly, right when they wanted. Same with running – he just went! I really think he was the best animal actor I’ve ever seen.

The Rip Director Joe Carnahan on How Paranoia Plays an Integral Part In the Experience

“The Best Movies Always Work When You Start to Imperil People You Care About…”

  • TopMob: “Watching it and looking back at the experience, paranoia is so integral to the experience. Can you talk about how you wanted to build that and kind of make it run through every facet of the film?”

I’m happy you’re responding to it that way. We definitely aimed for a paranoid feel. We spent a lot of time planning the story, because it involves a lot of detailed, technical information – something I don’t naturally excel at. My thought was, if you try something enough times, you’ll eventually get it right.

Michael McGrale and I spent time carefully planning the structure, deciding how different elements would fit together. It was similar to the way Chris Nolan masterfully creates complex, layered narratives. Once that groundwork is laid, I believe the key is having a deep understanding of the characters and how they develop over time.

Great movies really succeed when the characters we’ve grown to care about are put in danger, and we genuinely feel their fear. This film does a good job of making us invested in the people on screen, so we’re worried when they’re threatened, unlike action movies where the danger feels distant and repetitive. Because this story is so focused on personal relationships and human emotions, the stakes feel much higher and more impactful.

  • TopMob: “How much research did you guys do in the stash houses, and, you know, actual police busts, and maybe even cases of corruption and people stealing that?”

I worked closely with the Miami Police Department, especially Chris Castellan. I even participated in a few raids, which were interesting. They were intense for about fifteen minutes, but then you’d spend the next four hours dealing with a ton of paperwork and frustrating bureaucracy. It was a really eye-opening experience.

I felt confident enough with what I did to feel good about it, and I thought it would be well-received. That was a key thing. But honestly, I think we sometimes overthink things – at a certain point, you just have to go for it and be bold.

I took some creative liberties with the story, embellishing details here and there, but I believe the core of the story is truthful and will stand up to examination.

The full interviews can be viewed here:

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2026-01-16 23:08