THE INSTIGATORS (APPLE TV+) (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. 

MOVIE REVIEW:

It’s a reunion of sorts for the talents involved in The Instigators. Director Doug Liman with Damon after The Bourne Identity and Damon with Hong Chau after Downsizing. And it’s produced by Damon and Ben Affleck under their Artists Equity banner.

Big names. High concept. Unfortunately, The Instigators is a comedic heist thriller that makes less and less sense, less and less excitement as the movie goes.

Together with a small-time crook, Scalvo (Jack Harlow), ex-con Cobby (Casey Affleck) has to team up with an ex-Marine, Rory (Damon) to rob a corrupt Mayor’s (Ron Perlman) vault. But things go way wrong when the vault is empty and a shootout ensued between the chief of police and Scalvo with Cobby getting shot in the process.

Left with no other choice and with bad guys and the police hot on their trail, Rory has to seek help from his therapist, Dr. Rivera (Hong Chau) and has to hold her hostage while they figure things out.

The Instigators start off with numerous familiar faces and that includes Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina and Paul Walter Hause portraying crooks and hitman. Obviously, their roles are pretty minor but the trio gave their very best in their limited screentime.

Casey Affleck and Damon’s sometimes funny bantering help keep things going. Chau is fine playing the shrink to the utterly depressing Rory who needs a sum of $32K+ to pay off child support. Perlman pulls no surprises playing the usual sleazy mobster or in this case, the corrupted Mayor of Boston. Ving Rhames also appears as an officer from the Special Operations Unit.

For whatever reasons, there’s a lack of a certain form of energy in The Instigators even though there’s a clever gag involving two building explosions. Even the vehicle car chase works expectedly well and realistic. Still, the narrative never feels compelling and most of the proceedings feel kind of matter of fact.

Liman’s Roadhouse has its flaws but the various set-pieces are far more entertaining than this movie. Damon seems to lack screen chemistry with Casey despite the odd buddy comedy concept. On hindsight, maybe big brother Ben should step in. There’s an unbelievable but funny mid-credit scene which totally belonged to another movie in terms of tone.

With countless talents involved, The Instigators is more of a miss than a hit. Of all things, it clocks efficiently at 100 minutes and you probably remember Petula Clark’s classic hit, Downtown than what the hoo-ha is all about.  

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee