The Instigators reunites Matt Damon and Casey Affleck for a comedic heist full of on-screen chemistry, entertaining action, and hilarious sibling-like banter.
Director: Doug Liman
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
Run Time: 101′
US Release: August 2, 2024 in select theaters
Global Release: August 9, 2024 on Apple TV+
It’s been a minute since Matt Damon and Casey Affleck shared the screen together, but their reunion in The Instigators plays like they never missed a beat. In fact, it’s because of their on-screen chemistry that the Apple TV+ flick is a successfully entertaining watch full of action, thrills, and hilarious sibling-like banter.
The Instigators is an upcoming American comedic heist thriller directed by Doug Liman (Road House, 2024) and written by Casey Affleck and Chuck Maclean. Produced by Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, and Ben Affleck, the film is about two men down on their luck who become reluctant partners in crime and subsequently find their way through their own problems because of it.
Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity franchise) is Rory, a former Marine mechanic and single father desperate to see his son. He can’t, though, until he clears a hefty back-child-support fee, plus lawyer fees and loan fees, all totaling over $30,000. Feeling like he’ll never be able to clear his debt and get his life back, Rory sees a therapist and confides in her that at some point, if the way he feels does not change, he plans to “cash in his ticket” and off himself.
On the other hand, Casey Affleck (Slingshot) is Cobby, an ex-con turned barfly who a) is very inquisitive about everything, b) never stops talking, c) is a total firebug, and d) is what I like to call a gentle smart-ass. The first time we see Affleck on screen, he’s using a neighborhood kid to blow into the breathalyzer on his motorcycle so he can head to his preferred bar, which he repeatedly refers to as his bar (it’s not). They don’t know it yet, but the two make a perfect team.
Rory and Cobby are brought together by a local crime boss in a heist to rob a corrupt politician and confiscate his ill-gained earnings, and that’s when the fun begins. When the heist goes horribly (and hilariously) wrong, the two find themselves smack dab in the middle of chaos, bickering like siblings. They soon find themselves on the run with the police, the mayor’s “fixer” (Ving Rhames, of the Mission: Impossible franchise), and the crime boss’s hitman (Paul Walter Hauser, of Blackbird) pursuing them. But the fun doesn’t stop there, no. The Instigators‘ action circles back for the unexpected.
Realizing they’re completely out of their depth, Rory makes a split-second decision on the run and seeks help from his therapist (Hong Chau, of The Whale), convincing her to willingly become their hostage and join their riotous getaway through Boston. And believe me, it is riotous—complete with a smidge of Jason Bourne-like car chases through the city. While Damon does not step back in his Jason Bourne persona, he does don a tad of Bourne talent in his get-away driving skills, which are both thrilling and funny.
I have to say, it’s fantastic to see Damon back in a heist film, and with his Boston accent. The chemistry between him and Affleck beckons back to the nostalgia of Good Will Hunting – only this time, Affleck has all the brains and personality. Damon is a bit of a square, who is very serious and writes down all heist details in a notepad. And at times, he doesn’t seem to think very logically. He’s the kind of guy who appreciates silence, so you can imagine how he’s affected when paired with a motor-mouthed Affleck full of jokes and sarcasm. The Instigators really does a nice job of highlighting both actors’ comedic chops.
Paul Walter Hauser shows up briefly as the crime boss’s hitman, which is hilarious because Hauser’s demeanor screams everything but dangerous. For me, whenever he popped up on screen, all I could hear was Matt Lauria from Kingdom saying, “Get out of my bed, Keith.” Hauser is a hugely remarkable talent and though his role here is minimal, it’s enough to remind you of his capability. He’s a fabulous inclusion to this film. Ron Perlman plays the corrupt mayor and has a persona and attitude reminiscent of Clay Morrow from Sons of Anarchy, and Michael Stuhlbarg (Bones and All) makes an excellent crime boss.
The Instigators is much funnier and more entertaining than I expected it to be. We all love a good heist flick, but don’t expect this one to be detailed to the nines, smooth, and efficient like the Ocean’s Eleven franchise. The Instigators is intentionally messy and silly, mindful not to take itself too seriously, and you shouldn’t either.
What I loved most about this movie was the wickedly comedic banter in the script. That’s what carries the movie. Damon and Affleck interact like siblings who are always on each other’s case but with light-hearted insults. And while you might think they’re the worst, most conspicuous criminals ever, at some point, the film proves you wrong, and that makes what’s happening even funnier and more engaging.
Overall, The Instigators is a successfully entertaining watch that will be well worth your time. With very relevant themes of mental health awareness and working through your sh*t (and your feelings) to find healing and resolution in the courage it takes to face your demons, The Instigators is a hilariously exciting heist flick that doesn’t take itself too seriously while reminding us that there’s humor in everything if you look for it … or make it yourself. And with an ending that’ll leave you with all the feels, grinning from ear to ear, you’ll be happy you gave the movie a shot.
The Instigators will be released in select US theaters on August 2, 2024 and globally on Apple TV+ on August 9, 2024.
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