The Instigators (2024) - Review
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© APPLE TV+
Directed by: Doug Liman
Written by: Chuck Maclean, Casey Affleck
Starring: Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, Ron Perlman
Runtime: 101 min
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.
© APPLE TV+
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Movies We Texted About. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
The Instigators uses its star-studded cast to attract viewers, but excellent performances alone aren't enough to create a memorable, satisfying film. The sarcastic humor found in the banter between Matt Damon and Casey Affleck attempts to elevate a superficial, formulaic heist flick with inconsistent entertainment, but the mission becomes impossible due to the lack of better tonal control. It's neither a deep study of personal redemption nor a film with enough cheap thrills to convince an audience to spread the word. Underwhelmingly dull.
