Movie Review: ‘The Instigators’

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Review by James Lindorf

Is there a director with a more inconsistent filmography than Doug Liman? He started his career strong with the John Favreau and Vince Vaughn comedy “Swingers.” He followed it up with hits like the spy thriller “The Bourne Identity” and the sci-fi actioner “Edge of Tomorrow.” On the other side of that coin, live films like “Jumper,” “Locked Down,” and “Chaos Walking” all left critics and fans underwhelmed at best. There are plenty of reasons to be excited about his latest project, the action crime thriller “The Instigators.” He is reteaming with Matt Damon, who brought along Casey Affleck; it is a genre they are all comfortable with; it is set in Boston and was made for Apple TV+, the most consistent streamer going right now. “The Instigators” will have a short limited theatrical release beginning August 2nd before moving to Apple on the 9th.

Rory (Damon), a desperate father, and Cobby (Affleck), an ex-con out of options, become reluctant partners after a local mob boss recruits them to rob a corrupt politician’s ill-gained earnings. When the heist goes wrong, the two are engulfed in chaos, pursued by the police, bureaucrats, and vengeful crime bosses. Completely out of their depth, they do everything they can to stay alive and free, even convincing Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau) to join their riotous getaway. They must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture and have one more shot at making the score. The cast features an obscene amount of talent in supporting roles thanks to Toby Jones, Ron Pearlman, Ving Rhames, Jack Harlow, and Paul Walter Hauser.

It should surprise no one that the cast and their performances are the strength of the film. Damon and Affleck have developed chemistry through decades of friendship and working together, which may make it hard to believe that Rory and Cobby are meeting for the first time. They form an interesting duo that is less dynamic and more opposites attract. Cobby is a constant ratatat of jokes and general commentary. At the same time, Rory is so stoic he often seems confused by the events going on around them. Unfortunately, the script from Chuck MacLean (City on a Hill), who is making his film debut, suffers under the weight of the expectations that come with such a significant cast. The screenplay is interesting and revolves around Boston and politics, which is MacLean’s wheelhouse. Still, the pacing is slightly off, and it often feels too safe. The action isn’t big enough, the jokes aren’t biting enough, and his central figures are likable but not loveable.

While “The Instigators” may not reach the heights of cinematic greatness, it certainly delivers in terms of entertainment. With its engaging performances, enjoyable chemistry, and decent action choreography, the film is a fun watch. However, it does lose some points due to below-average CGI, pacing issues, and a lack of high-octane thrills that one would expect from a crime film. Overall, “The Instigators” is a light-hearted, enjoyable film that, with the right expectations, can provide a lot of fun. It earns a respectable 3.5 out of 5.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Mystery & Thriller
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Some Violence)
Original Language: English
Director: Doug Liman (Swingers, The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow Jumper Locked Down Chaos Walking)
Producer: Damon, Ben Affleck, Jeff Robinov, John Graham, Kevin J. Walsh
Screenwriter: Chuck MacLean (City on a Hill)
Production Co: The Walsh Company, Apple Original Films, Studio 8, Artists Equity
Distributor: Apple TV+
Release Date (Theaters): August 2nd, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): August 9th, 2024
Runtime: 1h 41m