The Instigators – A Heist Comedy Laden with Familiar Beats and Unmet Potential
The Instigators (2024), directed by Doug Liman and co-written by Casey Affleck and Chuck Maclean, invites audiences into a Boston-set heist caper led by Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. What promises to be a razor-sharp buddy comedy morphs into a somewhat underpowered comedy of errors, marked by familiar formulas, sporadic laughs, and an atmosphere more workmanlike than inspired.
Rory (Matt Damon) is a troubled former Marine on the brink—struggling with depression, divorced, and burdened by pressing child-support debts. He’s persuaded into one last job: robbing the corrupt incumbent Mayor Miccelli (Ron Perlman) at a high-stakes election-night celebration, where illicit cash donations are expected to be plentiful. His partner in crime, Cobby (Casey Affleck), is an ex-con navigating sobriety through creative means—testing breathalyzers using neighborhood kids just to hit the bar. Together, they are enlisted by underworld figures to carry out the ill-conceived heist.
From the outset, things go awry. Miccelli loses the election, the safe is empty, and the heist devolves into chaos—leaving Rory and Cobby scrambling to escape, armed only with a mayor’s bracelet that conceals the safe’s combination. As they flee, they drag Rory’s therapist, Dr. Rivera (Hong Chau), into the fray, adding a dash of “Analyze This” humor to the proceedings.
Their misadventures include frantic chase sequences, a hostage situation in City Hall, and a clever though implausible disguise as firefighters. They manage to unlock the safe, seize illicit funds and damning hard drives, and threaten law enforcement with the incriminating evidence. In a twist of political cynicism, the new mayor—looking to profit rather than prosecute—lets them walk free to avoid exposing the corruption. The film concludes with Rory reconnecting with his son at a hockey game and Cobby finally seeking therapy—offering a veneer of personal redemption amid the absurdity.
Despite a cast brimming with talent—including Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina, Ving Rhames, Paul Walter Hauser, Toby Jones, Jack Harlow, and Ron Perlman—the film struggles to coherently coalesce its elements. Critics note that the conventional script and underdeveloped character dynamics dampen the potential for electrifying chemistry between Affleck and Damon. The runtime of 101 minutes saunters through action and quips with little sense of urgency, straining to evoke playful crime-comedy energy but ultimately feeling dreary and inert.
Its critical reception reflects the mixed reactions from audiences and reviewers alike. Some highlight redeeming qualities—such as Affleck’s deadpan wit, Liman’s occasional flair for visual action, and the familiar charm of its leads—but these glimmers are often overshadowed by plot contrivances, pacing issues, and formulaic execution.
In essence, The Instigators presents a glossy yet hollow caper: skilled actors, polished production, and moments of humor exist side-by-side with predictability and fatigue. It’s serviceable enough for a casual watch, especially for fans of the lead actors, but ultimately falls short of cementing its place in the genre’s more memorable ranks.
