2025 Apple TV+
Rated: R
Length: 1 hr 41min
Action ~ Crime ~ Comedy
Directed by: Doug Liman
Starring: Casey Affleck, Matt Damon, Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, and Ron Perlman.
I need 32,480 dollars, that’s all I need.
The Instigators, directed by Doug Liman and streaming on Apple TV+, tosses viewers into a frenetic Boston backdrop on the eve of a mayoral election. From the jump, it’s clear this isn’t your average heist flick—the film’s opening moments introduce Rory (Matt Damon), a blue-collar dad hoping for a shot at redemption, and Cobby (Casey Affleck), a jittery ex-con who just can’t catch a break. Their plan? Knock off a crooked politician notorious for hiding dirty cash, Mayor Miccelli of Boston (Ron Perlman). Naturally, things go sideways fast, and what was supposed to be a one-and-done job quickly devolves into bedlam across the city’s tangled streets.
As the hunt intensifies, the duo’s fumbled heist drags an unsuspecting therapist (Hong Chau) into the fray. What starts as pure collateral damage evolves into an unlikely alliance as Rory and Cobby try—often with hilarious ineptitude—to outrun crooked city officials, shambling henchmen, and a grizzled detective who always seems half a step behind. Liman injects the chase with big swings of slapstick humor and a sharp edge of Boston grit, letting side characters and local color breathe life into even the most well-trodden genre beats.
Though The Instigators doesn’t break new ground for crime capers, it thrives on the cracked chemistry between Damon and Affleck. Their dynamic—equal parts desperation, bickering, and reluctant camaraderie—drives both the action and the heart of the film. Whether it’s a barely-in-control car chase, a botched backroom deal, or a misadventure involving bewildered bystanders, the movie keeps its foot firmly on the gas, favoring momentum and laughs over intricate plotting.
If you’re searching for a twist-filled noir or a brooding meditation on crime, look elsewhere. The Instigators leans into chaotic fun, championing its misfit characters and letting the city of Boston be as much a character as anyone on screen. This is a heist movie that’s more about the wild ride than the payoff—and for those willing to hop in for the chase, it delivers a thoroughly entertaining journey without ever taking itself too seriously.
STREAMING MOVIE NIGHT 