Shocking! Matt Damon & Casey Affleck’s Mind-Blowing Performances as Half-Smart Criminals in ‘The Instigators’

Film enthusiasts frequently express a desire for more originality in the movies they watch. However, we shouldn’t overlook the simple pleasures that can be delivered by a well-executed and unpretentious film. A movie that, despite a lack of uniqueness, still manages to entertain and captivate the audience can be considered an accomplishment in itself. As an example, consider “The Instigators”, a humorous action film that almost makes up for its clichéd aspects with its engaging performances and comedic elements. Like the characters in the film who struggle to pull off a heist, the filmmakers face a similar challenge to deliver an entertaining and engaging movie.

“The Instigators”, set in Boston and opening in theaters before launching on Apple TV+, features the unlikely partnership between a former marine named Rory (played by Matt Damon) and a habitual criminal known as Cobby (played by Casey Affleck). Rory, even though he’s a fundamentally good person, has managed to ruin his marriage and estrange his teenage son. Cobby, on the other hand, is a sarcastic loner fresh out of prison. These two characters cross paths when they both sign up for a high-stakes heist targeting the corrupt mayor’s office on the night of his expected re-election victory.

Despite the seemingly foolproof plan, the plot could unravel if the mayor doesn’t win the election, though the odds of that happening are low. “The Instigators” capitalizes on these predictable plot twists, smoothly transitioning from one expected plot point to another while maintaining the audience’s engagement and interest.

Directed by Doug Liman, known for his visual flair and humor, the film benefits from his knack for enhancing ordinary material. Liman has previously displayed his talent for adding a playful energy to familiar concepts in films such as “Go” and “Edge of Tomorrow”. Similar to his “Road House” remake, “The Instigators” is enjoyable due to its superior craftsmanship and relaxed charm. The film is reminiscent of Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven”, featuring both Damon and Affleck, and actively makes the audience feel guilty for expecting more from it.

“The Instigators” sees Damon and Affleck, who previously co-starred in Gus Van Sant’s “Gerry”, comfortably slipping into their amusingly stereotypical roles. Rory, who is meticulous to a fault and wants the heist money to fix his broken family, insists on taking detailed notes during the heist planning, something professional criminals would advise against. Cobby, despite his criminal experience, makes his fair share of mistakes too. The film eventually reveals that Cobby isn’t the hardened criminal he initially appears to be.

“The Instigators” is a prime example of the formulaic content produced by streaming platforms: combine a few big names with a worn-out storyline, add some aesthetic appeal, and the result is a passable diversion for viewers. Despite this, Liman and the cast strive to deliver more than the bare minimum, presenting a story about two failures attempting to do something right for a change.

Recently, Damon has excelled in roles that allow him to portray a more relaxed, mature character. In “The Instigators”, he captures the essence of his character’s middle-aged mediocrity. When the heist goes wrong, Rory’s therapist, Donna (played by Hong Chau), oddly joins in their scheme. Chau’s character provides a sense of stability in the film, even when she’s expected to offer emotional counseling amidst chaotic action sequences.

Liman takes pleasure in the pure entertainment value of his films, constantly infusing this light-hearted comedy with more jokes and unusual deviations. The film features a cameo by the New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski and includes a number of respected character actors such as Paul Walter Hauser, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Ving Rhames playing clichéd villains. The overall feel of the film is that of a relaxed, professional, and unobjectionable project.

“The Instigators” may not offer much in terms of originality, but it could have justified its existence by delivering a delightful film that reaffirms our fondness for the lead actors and the genre. Unfortunately, the film’s convoluted plot and strained attempts to reinvent the crime-comedy genre reveal the lack of freshness in this area of cinema. There are laughs and clever moments in “The Instigators”, but they fail to give the audience a reason to truly care about the film.