Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Instigators

Play trailer 2:21 Poster for The Instigators R 2024 1h 41m Action Comedy Mystery & Thriller Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
41% Tomatometer 158 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck) are reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together to rob a corrupt politician's ill-gained earnings. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police but also by backward bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses. Completely out of their depth, they convince Rory's therapist (Hong Chau) to join their riotous getaway through the city, where they must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture -- or worse.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Instigators

The Instigators

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The alchemy of Casey Affleck and Matt Damon's knucklehead rapport provides some charm, but this laidback caper unravels due to a lack of intrigue and pulse.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Robert Levin Newsday 08/13/2024
2.5/4
No matter how much heft the Actors Equity team brings to the project on both sides of the camera, there's simply no evading the fact that the movie plays as so inconsequential, so free of meaning and purpose, that it offers nothing to grab onto. Go to Full Review
Wendy Ide Observer (UK) 08/12/2024
2/5
It should be pulpy fun powered by car chases and zippy repartee, but The Instigators is a dispiriting and predictable drag of a movie. Go to Full Review
Barry Hertz Globe and Mail 08/12/2024
Certainly, all the ingredients are here for a fun night in, from the absolutely killer cast to the familiar Damon/Affleck stomping grounds of Boston. But nothing quite clicks in this tale of charming low-life thieves. Go to Full Review
Marta Medina mundoCine Aug 15
2/5
A heist that goes just as badly as the film itself. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Patrick Beatty ABC4 Utah Aug 12
This is a film you can have playing in the background and still be entertained. Go to Full Review
Ross Anthony Hollywood Report Card Apr 9
3/4
Also, has anyone been saying what a great actor Casey Affleck is? His performances are powerful, emotional, real, purposely un-showey. His low-key retorts in this film are sharp, edgy, and hard-hitting despite their carefully understated delivery. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Yusuf N 08/10/2024 Casey Affleck is a gem and his deadpan lines were just delightfully droll! See more dsh 08/04/2024 Plot was ridiculous and implausible, script was terrible and the language was foul - constant f-bombs. See more JimPalmer 08/04/2024 It was interesting but its language was distracting and unnecessary. Have to wonder if the actors children are allowed to see this movie. No need for sentences of profanity. See more Ajit P 1d Yawn. That pretty much sums it up. See more Michael P. @IronMike 5d Terrible terrible movie See more Vince Q. @Vincedeq Nov 1 Hong Chau and Matt Damon (Downsizing) team up in this green screen robbery gone wrong action picture. Lots of stunt composites and car replacement footage makes this film a Best Visual Effects long list contender. Casey Affleck steals the show with his dead pan. See more Read all reviews
The Instigators

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

The Instigators

The Instigators: Exclusive Movie Clip - Car Chase The Instigators: Exclusive Movie Clip - Car Chase 1:29 View more videos
Hit Man 95% 89% Hit Man Watchlist TRAILER for Hit Man Nobody 83% 94% Nobody Watchlist TRAILER for Nobody Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F 67% 75% Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Watchlist TRAILER for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F The Nice Guys 91% 79% The Nice Guys Watchlist TRAILER for The Nice Guys Novocaine 81% 84% Novocaine Watchlist TRAILER for Novocaine Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck) are reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together to rob a corrupt politician's ill-gained earnings. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police but also by backward bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses. Completely out of their depth, they convince Rory's therapist (Hong Chau) to join their riotous getaway through the city, where they must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture -- or worse.
Director
Doug Liman
Producer
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jeff Robinov, John Graham, Kevin J. Walsh
Screenwriter
Chuck MacLean
Distributor
Apple TV+
Production Co
The Walsh Company, Apple TV+, Studio 8, Apple Studios, Apple Original Films, Artists Equity
Rating
R (Some Violence|Pervasive Language)
Genre
Action, Comedy, Mystery & Thriller, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 2, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 9, 2024
Runtime
1h 41m
Watch Now on