A Featured Comment on imdb.com About the Instigators 2024 Movie.
Almost Funny… I was very disappointed by this movie. It was co-written by Casey Affleck who also played a main character opposite Matt Damon and a small ensemble cast. With Ben Affleck as one of the producers, I anticipated something much better. The script is over-written and much of the film is over-acted, particularly the character played by Michael Stuhlbarg. It’s a ridiculous heist plot that requires one to completely suspend dis-belief throughout. The over-the-top car chase scene was right out of a super-hero movie, but less realistic. The many sub-plots are sometimes laugh-out-loud laughable, and not in a funny way. I’d give “The Instigators” a 5 of 10, at best. It might have been more aptly titled as, “The Idiots”.
Is it just dumb to keep expecting original content created specifically for streaming services to pass for feature films? Sure, there are sometimes exceptions, but not with Apple TV+’s The Instigators, a comedy movie about two hapless criminal partners winging it after a botched heist which boasts substantial resources, a seasoned director, and a very competent cast. However, even an extended car chase sequence involving half of Boston law enforcement and a trail of wreckage fails to ignite much enthusiasm.
The Instigators
Release Date:
- Theaters: Friday, August 2
- Streaming on Netflix: Friday, August 9
Cast:
Director: Doug Liman
Screenwriters: Chuck MacLean, Casey Affleck
Rated: R
Duration: 1 hour 41 minutes
- Matt Damon
- Casey Affleck
- Hong Chau
- Michael Stuhlbarg
- Paul Walter Hauser
- Ving Rhames
- Alfred Molina
- Toby Jones
- Jack Harlow
- Ron Perlman
- André De Shields
Check out
Doug Liman’s new film, The Instigators, opens in cinemas on August 2 and will stream on Netflix starting August 9. This release strategy gives it a week longer in theaters than Liman’s previous film, the fun and entertaining Road House adaptation starring Jake Gyllenhaal, which premiered on Amazon.
Starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, who also co-wrote the screenplay, The Instigators is poised to be a hit on streaming platforms due to its star power. However, it falls into the category of “passable entertainment”—not terrible, but far from great. Critics may find themselves searching for new ways to express “Meh.”
The Instigators 2024 Plot Overview
The film centers around Rory (Matt Damon), a divorced, jobless former Marine struggling to make ends meet. Desperate to visit his child but hindered by $32,480 in child support and legal bills, Rory sees no way out except crime. He joins a small-time heist crew aiming to steal $500 in ticket earnings on the eve of a mayoral election. The heist, led by Mr. Besegai (Michael Stuhlbarg) and Richie DeChico (Alfred Molina), quickly spirals out of control.
The Instigators 2024 Cast and Characters
- Rory (Matt Damon): A down-and-out former Marine.
- Cobby (Casey Affleck): A former convict and Rory’s heist partner.
- Dr. Rivera (Hong Chau): Rory’s therapist, who gets inadvertently involved.
- Miccelli (Ron Perlman): The corrupt incumbent mayor.
- Scalvo (Jack Harlow): The main recruit for the heist.
- Frank Toomey (Ving Rhames): A Special Ops chief working for Miccelli.
The chemistry between Damon and Affleck is one of the film’s highlights, with Affleck’s carefree flippancy complementing Damon’s biting deadpan. However, the screenplay lacks the wit to fully capitalize on their odd-couple dynamic.
Execution and Reception
The Instigators 2024 movie struggles with tonal inconsistencies, despite the efforts of three editors. The film attempts to balance elements of an action thriller, buddy comedy, and gritty crime drama, but ends up stumbling over cliches. While there are some comedic moments, they often feel forced and fall flat.
Doug Liman, known for hits like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow, and The Bourne Identity, seems to have lost his touch with recent projects. The Instigators joins his other underwhelming releases like Chaos Walking and Locked Down.
The Instigators 2024 official trailer
Full credits
Production companies: Apple Original Films, Artists Equity, Studio 8, The Walsh Company
Distribution: Apple TV+
Cast: Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, Ron Perlman, André De Shields
Director: Doug Liman
Screenwriters: Chuck MacLean, Casey Affleck
Producers: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jeff Robinov, Kevin Walsh, John Graham, Alison Winter
Executive producers: Michael Joe, Kevin Halloran, Celia Costas, Dani Bernfeld, Cynthia Dahlgren, Luciana Damon
Director of photography: Henry Braham
Production designer: Greg Berry
Costume designer: Charlese Antoinette Jones
Music: Christophe Beck
Editors: Saar Klein, William Goldenberg, Tatiana S. Riegel
Casting: Joseph Middleton
The Instigators 2024 movie is Rated R,
1 hour 41 minutes
