Caper movies usually come with a certain promise of fun and excitement, drawing audiences into intricate plots filled with danger, wit, and thrill. When you have Doug Liman at the helm—who’s known for directing high-adrenaline movies like Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Edge of Tomorrow—and Matt Damon as the lead, expectations naturally soar. Their prior collaboration on The Bourne Identity set quite a high bar. But, while The Instigators manages to be engaging enough, it falls short of the mind-blowing experience that fans might hope for.
The Instigators kicks off with Rory (played by Matt Damon), an ex-Marine who finds himself at a dead end in his life. Rory is currently in a session with his therapist, Donna Rivera (Hong Chau), illustrating an early dive into the protagonist’s mental and emotional struggles. Rory, recently divorced and carrying the heavy burden of $32,480 in pending child support payments and other financial commitments, sees an opportunity to change his fortunes. The plan involves robbing the corrupt Mayor of Boston, Miccelli (Ron Perlman), on election night.
Miccelli, expected to win the election, will be entertaining a slew of unsavory characters throughout the night, all carrying suitcases full of money to buy contracts. The Mayor’s lawyer and right-hand man, Alan Flynn (Toby Jones), assists in stashing away this illicit wealth. The heist is orchestrated by Besegai (Michael Stuhlbarg) and his right-hand man, Dechico (Alfred Molina), using Besegai’s bakery as their planning hub, ironically amidst sugary confections. Adding to the crew is Cobby (Casey Affleck), who has done hard time for a crime he didn’t commit, and Scalvo (Jack Harlow). Rory, a novice in the art of heists, diligently takes notes (on paper, not digitally), and inevitably disrupts the operation with annoying but pertinent questions, like what happens if Miccelli’s rival, Mark Choi (Ronnie Cho), wins the election.
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As expected in caper films, things go awry, and Rory and Cobby find themselves fleeing from both law enforcement and a band of unscrupulous characters. Among these antagonists are the Mayor’s enforcer Frank Toomey (Ving Rhames) and the psychopathic hitman Booch (Paul Walter Hauser). Complicating matters further is a bracelet that Miccelli desperately wants back, adding another layer of chaos to the botched heist.
Donna, the therapist, gets dragged into the getaway, introducing a dynamic reminiscent of the comedy Analyze This, and providing opportunities for humor amidst the chaos. Cobby’s battle with alcoholism becomes another facet of the narrative, resulting in him attaching a breathalyzer to his bike (which doesn’t start until he passes the breath test), leading to some inventive and amusing workarounds.
Ving Rhames, with his distinctive hat and coat, evokes memories of Marsellus Wallace from Pulp Fiction, as do the film’s chatty characters. Despite the star-studded cast, including Damon, Affleck, Chau, Rhames, and others, their combined efforts do not coalesce into the electrifying whole that was hoped for. The chemistry between Damon and Affleck comes across as strained, and the dynamic of a therapist participating in a high-stakes getaway feels forced and unconvincing, leading to missed opportunities for deeper analysis or more coherent humor.
While The Instigators hits certain marks with its impressive ensemble cast and some clever moments, it ultimately does not deliver the explosive entertainment that fans of the genre and director may have anticipated. It is a collection of good ideas and engaging segments that fall short of meshing into an unforgettable cinematic experience.
The Instigators makes its debut on Apple TV+ on August 9, offering the audience a blend of action and comedy that, while watchable, doesn’t quite hit the high notes one might expect from such a talented team.
Those looking for a film that seamlessly combines intrigue, humor, and character chemistry might find themselves looking elsewhere, as The Instigators does not fully capitalize on the potential its premise and cast suggest. Nonetheless, for those seeking a casual, lighthearted caper with familiar faces, it’s worth the watch.
World cinema enthusiasts and fans of English cinema alike may tune in to understand where the film hits and where it misses, adding another layer to their appreciation of the genre’s complexity and charm.
