The British crime thriller The Rip has been gaining attention across streaming platforms, and interest in its Rotten Tomatoes score continues to grow among viewers in the U.S. and abroad. Since its debut, the series has earned mixed-to-positive reviews from critics while developing a dedicated fan base for its gripping storytelling and complex performances.
As of January 2026, The Rip Rotten Tomatoes score stands as one of the most discussed ratings among recent crime dramas from the U.K. Here’s a detailed look at how critics and audiences responded, what makes the series stand out, and how it fits into the evolving landscape of international television.
Overview of The Rip
The Rip is a British psychological crime series that first premiered on Channel 5 in the U.K. in December 2023. The show later arrived on Paramount+ for international streaming, reaching audiences in the United States by mid-2024.
Created by Mike Benson and starring Jo Joyner (EastEnders, Shakespeare & Hathaway) and Peter O’Brien (Neighbours, Underbelly), the series centers on Alison, a woman whose life spirals out of control after a family tragedy and a mysterious disappearance. The show unfolds through suspenseful flashbacks and shifting perspectives, blending elements of domestic drama, mystery, and moral tension.
With its sharp writing and intimate storytelling, The Rip fits comfortably alongside other British thrillers such as Broadchurch and The Bay.
The Rip Rotten Tomatoes Score and Reception
When The Rip was added to Rotten Tomatoes, critics offered a variety of perspectives that placed the series in the “fresh” range.
As of 2026, The Rip holds a 78% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on professional reviews from U.K. and international outlets. The audience score is slightly higher, averaging 84%, reflecting positive reactions from general viewers who praised the show’s emotional depth and suspenseful pacing.
Many reviewers highlighted the series’ blend of slow-burn drama and psychological intrigue. Critics noted that while The Rip avoids the sensationalism of typical crime shows, it rewards patient viewers with layered character arcs and realistic emotional tension.
Key highlights from critics’ feedback include:
- Strong performances from Jo Joyner and Peter O’Brien, who bring depth and nuance to their roles.
- Cinematic visuals that capture the mood of coastal England, where much of the show was filmed.
- A compelling mystery that unfolds gradually, emphasizing character psychology over action.
However, a few critics mentioned pacing issues in the early episodes, saying the story takes time to find its rhythm. Still, by the finale, most agreed that the emotional payoff made the journey worthwhile.
Why Viewers Are Drawn to The Rip
The growing popularity of The Rip comes down to one simple truth — it feels real. The show doesn’t rely on high-speed chases, shocking murders, or stylized violence to capture attention. Instead, its power lies in how honestly it portrays grief, guilt, and the fragile threads that hold families together when tragedy strikes.
Unlike many crime dramas that focus on detectives solving cases, The Rip shifts the lens toward those left behind — the spouses, parents, and children who must live in the shadow of loss. It examines the quiet devastation that follows a life-altering event and the ways people try, and often fail, to piece their lives back together.
This emotional authenticity has struck a deep chord with audiences across the United States. Viewers have praised the series for its honest depiction of ordinary people facing extraordinary pain. Throughout 2025, discussions on platforms such as Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok highlighted how the show avoids melodrama and instead captures the uncomfortable silences, broken conversations, and subtle moments that define real human grief.
Many fans have compared The Rip to HBO’s Mare of Easttown — another series celebrated for its grounded storytelling and powerful female lead. Both shows share a commitment to realism: characters who make mistakes, relationships that fray under pressure, and communities that reflect recognizable flaws rather than fiction’s polished perfection.
Where Mare of Easttown built tension around a detective’s pursuit of truth, The Rip builds tension around emotional discovery — the truth of who we are when everything falls apart. This difference gives the show a quieter but more lasting impact. Instead of focusing on external action, it explores the internal battles that rage behind closed doors.
U.S. audiences, in particular, have found this approach refreshing. As crime series become increasingly stylized and fast-paced, The Rip slows down to let emotions breathe. Its pacing invites reflection rather than adrenaline. Every episode lingers on character moments — a mother unable to sleep, a husband hiding secrets, a child trying to understand silence. These small, intimate details resonate with viewers who crave storytelling grounded in authenticity.
The series also stands out for its layered writing. Each episode reveals new dimensions of its characters, showing how guilt and love can coexist, and how the past never truly stays buried. The dialogue feels lived-in, filled with pauses and imperfections that mirror real conversations. This makes the emotional journey more immersive and relatable.
Another factor behind the show’s appeal is its honesty about imperfection. The Rip doesn’t offer neat resolutions or perfect heroes. It portrays grief as messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal. Viewers have connected with this raw portrayal because it feels true to life — healing isn’t linear, and forgiveness doesn’t always arrive.
Critics and fans alike have highlighted how The Rip captures the emotional nuances of marriage and parenthood under strain. The chemistry between Jo Joyner and Peter O’Brien anchors the story in reality. Their performances show how love can become entangled with resentment, and how silence can speak louder than words. That complexity keeps viewers emotionally invested from start to finish.
The show’s cinematography also plays a role in its emotional pull. The muted color palette, soft lighting, and coastal settings create a visual reflection of grief and isolation. The landscapes — vast, windswept, and sometimes cold — echo the characters’ inner turmoil. This visual storytelling deepens the sense of empathy that keeps audiences engaged.
For many U.S. viewers, The Rip has provided an alternative to traditional crime dramas that rely heavily on shock value. Its emotional realism offers something more enduring — a reminder that suspense doesn’t have to come from violence or plot twists, but from the quiet unraveling of human emotion.
By the end of the series, audiences don’t just want to know what happened — they want to understand why it happened, and how each character will live with the consequences. That lingering curiosity has fueled discussion long after the final credits.
Ultimately, The Rip succeeds because it respects its audience’s intelligence and empathy. It trusts viewers to connect the emotional dots rather than spelling everything out. It offers not just a mystery to solve, but a mirror to human vulnerability.
That’s why so many people, both in the U.K. and the U.S., have been drawn to The Rip. It’s a story that doesn’t just entertain — it resonates, reminding us that the most powerful mysteries are often the ones inside us.
Cast Performances and Direction
Jo Joyner delivers one of her most powerful performances as Alison, a mother struggling to navigate grief and secrets that threaten to consume her family. Critics praised her subtle acting and ability to convey quiet devastation.
Peter O’Brien, playing her husband Sean, provides a sharp contrast — a character torn between loyalty and hidden motives. Their chemistry adds tension to nearly every scene, keeping viewers guessing about the truth behind their family’s unraveling.
The supporting cast, including Ciarán Griffiths, David Kirkbride, and Amelia Flanagan, adds emotional texture to the story. Each character contributes to the layered sense of mystery that keeps the audience invested from episode to episode.
Director Justin Molotnikov brings a cinematic approach to the series. His work captures the moody landscapes of the British coast, using natural light and subtle camera movements to amplify tension. The use of flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling gives the show a modern, psychological edge that sets it apart from conventional procedural dramas.
Cinematography and Soundtrack
One of The Rip’s most praised elements is its atmospheric cinematography. The show was primarily filmed in seaside locations across Cornwall and Devon, giving it a natural yet unsettling backdrop. The rugged coastline and muted colors mirror the emotional tone of the story — quiet, haunting, and filled with undercurrents of unease.
The soundtrack, composed by Samuel Sim, enhances the suspense without overwhelming it. The score uses minimal piano and strings to create a sense of introspection. The sound design — especially the rhythmic crashing of waves — becomes part of the emotional rhythm of the series.
Together, these elements make The Rip a visually and emotionally immersive experience, one that lingers in viewers’ minds long after the final credits roll.
How The Rip Compares to Other British Dramas
The success of The Rip on Rotten Tomatoes reflects a growing trend: international audiences are increasingly drawn to British dramas that mix emotional realism with mystery. Shows like Happy Valley, Line of Duty, and Marcella paved the way for titles like The Rip to reach global platforms.
What separates The Rip from many of its peers is its focus on internal conflict rather than external investigation. It’s less about solving a crime and more about unraveling the human cost of loss and deceit. This approach makes the show’s emotional impact stronger, even when the pace slows.
As streaming platforms continue to promote British content worldwide, The Rip has found a solid following among U.S. audiences looking for intelligent, character-driven thrillers. Its Rotten Tomatoes score is a testament to how storytelling rooted in emotion can resonate across borders.
Future of The Rip
As of early 2026, The Rip remains a standalone limited series. There has been no official confirmation of a second season, and the creative team has stated that the story concludes within its original six episodes.
Still, its success on streaming platforms — combined with strong word-of-mouth — has sparked interest in future collaborations between the show’s creators and networks like Channel 5 and Paramount+. For now, The Rip continues to perform well in international streaming charts, especially in the crime and drama categories.
The Rip Rotten Tomatoes score reflects more than numbers — it represents how audiences are embracing thoughtful, emotionally rich storytelling. With its stunning visuals, standout performances, and grounded approach to suspense, The Rip has secured its place as one of the most talked-about British dramas of the decade. If you haven’t yet taken the plunge into this emotional mystery, now might be the perfect time to see what makes it so compelling.