The Instigators is the film we needed all summer long. A super stacked cast, hilarious hijinks, and easily one of Matt Damon’s most fun-to-watch roles. Apple TV+ is always quality over quantity, and this is another example of them delivering the goods!
“The Instigators” will debut in select theaters on August 2, 2024 before streaming globally onApple TV+ on August 9, 2024.
Synopsis: Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck) are reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together to rob a corrupt politician’s ill-gained earnings. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police but also by backward bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses. Completely out of their depth, they convince Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau) to join their riotous getaway through the city, where they must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture — or worse. Directed by Doug Liman and written by Chuck MacLean and Affleck, “The Instigators” also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina and Toby Jones, with Jack Harlow and Ron Perlman.
From the very start this feel like all of the heist films we love to watch and rewatch. Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are pure synergy with timing and how they play off of each other. The script is Boston strong with writer Chuck MacLean (City on a Hill) pulling from his upbringing to bring us a witty, gritty, action packed ride.
Rory and Cobby are trying to stay one step ahead of both the cops and the bad guys who hired them for a job that went about as wrong as humanly possible. At every turn they run in to more interesting characters and for the viewer, more recognizable actors. A corrupt politician adds fuel to the fire and more heat to Rory and Cobby.
There are some great shots in this one too. The use of angles and character placement in a scene hi-lights their characteristics. For example, Rory is a quiet, pain filled guy and they often show him sitting alone or off in a corner. He seldom sits near the people he is with. Rory is given a lot of one liners which hit harder thanks to Damon’s ability to give us an authentic and believable character. His dry wit plays perfectly with Affleck’s more outspoken demeanor.
THE INSTIGATORS is rated R for pervasive language and some violence. It is a Boston heist film.. so yeah… Do what you have to, but see this in theaters or on Apple TV+. Easily one of my favorite films this summer.
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