The Instigators (USA, 2024)
The Instigators is the kind of film where you find yourself calling the characters by their actors’ names, and then you probably forget it the next day. It gives you exactly what you expect and hits the spot while you’re watching—kind of like a satisfying meal at Chipotle.
The story revolves around Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck), a desperate dad and a recently-released ex-con who team up to rob a corrupt politician. Naturally, their heist goes sideways, leading to a wild chase involving cops, bureaucrats, and crime lords all hot on their trail.
What makes this film work is the direction from Doug Liman, who’s got a knack for crafting slick action scenes. You can see his experience from hits like Edge of Tomorrow and The Bourne Identity shining through, especially in a standout car chase that’s beautifully shot and seamlessly edited. In a time when quick cuts and CGI dominate the action landscape, Liman’s style is a breath of fresh air. The heist scenes are tight, too, backed by Christophe Beck’s playful score, and it’s always a riot to see a heist go wrong—there’s a particularly funny moment involving some bewildered cooks in a kitchen that’s a highlight.
When it comes to acting, this film is more consistent than Liman’s recent Road House, which leaned heavily on Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance. Here, you’ve got the duo of Damon and Affleck, with Casey especially shining as he flexes his comedic chops, reminding us of his role in Tower Heist. Their chemistry feels authentic and natural, with their friendship coming across as genuine rather than forced. And the supporting cast is like an ensemble straight out of an Avengers movie—Toby Jones, Ving Rhames, and Ron Perlman all bring their A-game, with Perlman’s crooked politician being a real standout. Hong Chau navigates a tougher role with finesse, keeping her character engaging despite the script giving her a lot of probing questions to throw at Damon.
While The Instigators might not have any jaw-dropping lines or moments that’ll leave you pondering for days, it still delivers a fun and entertaining heist comedy that’s worth your time.