Title – The Instigators (2024) 

Director – Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow) 

Cast – Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau, Jack Harlow, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina 

Plot – After a seemingly simple heist goes wrong, unprepared criminals Rory (Damon) and Cobby (Affleck) find themselves target number one of local law enforcement and shady underworld figures.   

“I guess I’ll drink a case of warm beer and bleed out”

Review by Eddie on 03/12/2024

There’s no doubt you’re going to see far worse films in 2024 but it’s unlikely you’re going to see a more prime example of wasted talent and potential than Apple original The Instigators. 

A star-studded affair lead by long-term buds Matt Damon and Casey Affleck who find support here from the likes of Hong Chau, Ron Perlman, Alfred Molina, Michael Stuhlbarg, Toby Jones, Ving Rhames and Paul Walter Hauser, Instigators is the newest dud from the far better than this Doug Liman who appears to have learnt nothing from his earlier direct to streaming effort Road House from earlier in 2024. 

Blessed with all the tools to become a breakout streaming hit, which in parts it was for Apple with the film becoming the number one streamed film on its release week in early August, Instigators suffers from Liman’s uninspired direction and weak script from Chuck MacLean and Casey Affleck, a script that aims for a Coen brothers-lite vibe but fails to bring the smarts and charms that would’ve made this otherwise pedestrian affair really click. 

For a relatively simple set-up, Damon and Affleck’s unprepared petty criminals attempting a heist during a political event that sets them on a course to be target number one for local law enforcement and a bunch of underworld/shady figures, Instigators attempts to jam a lot of content and characters into its 100 minute runtime and while it’s entirely possible for this too have worked had all the stars aligned, everything in this finished product feels rushed, lazy and unrefined. 

Appearing to be the victim of a rush job, there’s unlikely to have been any budgetary or talent issues that would have inhibited Instigators from reaching its potential to become a fun, fast and thrilling comedy caper but there’s never anything properly fleshed out here from our main duo down no one is able to stand out making one wonder what the likes of Molina or Walter Hauser saw in being a part of such a lifeless offering outside of a nice fat pay cheque for little work or effort. 

In a current feature climate where these type of films have become the bread and butter of streaming services looking for quick wins, it’s a mighty shame no one here aimed higher as there’s a place for movies like this if someone was to take pride and care in their efforts and while Instigators can be seen as a mildy inoffensive time-waster, I think we should be asking for much more when talent like this comes together in one room. 

Final Say – 

Continuing on with a concerning lean patch for director Doug Liman, The Instigators squanders a loaded cast and an amusing concept to deliver an end product that is neither close to being overly fun or thrilling, creating a viewing experience that is tolerable but momentously undercooked. 

2 vandalised pastries out of 5