The Instigators (2024)

User Review

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  ScreenZealots

  5 / 10

  Director Doug Liman‘s “The Instigators” runs out of steam with a story that doesn’t really go anywhere, which makes the film feel like it’s lacking in substance. Thanks to the chemistry between its leads, this Netflix streamer is decent enough for a casual watch, but it’s not something you’ll remember or want to revisit any time soon.
  
  The film centers around Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck), two men who are reluctant partners in crime. Rory is a desperate father who needs a very specific amount of cash to take care of his son, while ex-con Cobby is just looking for a quick score. The duo is thrown together to rob the corrupt Mayor’s (Ron Perlman) illegally obtained earnings. What’s supposed to be a quick in-and-out job is anything but and of course the heist goes wrong. A whirlwind of complete chaos follows, with Cobby and Rory “kidnapping” a therapist (Hong Chau), angering bureaucrats, and finding themselves pursued by the local police but as well as a slew of vengeful crime bosses who want their loot back.
  
  It’s a promising premise that checks most of the big boxes: two mismatched partners, a host of quirky characters, and a by-the-book heist storyline. Much of Liman’s film works well enough, but it lacks originality. The main reason to ever give this movie the time of day comes down to Affleck and Damon, who play off each other so well that it doesn’t even feel like they are acting. Damon nails the earnest desperation of Rory, which contrasts perfectly with Affleck’s cynical turn as Cobby. Their dynamic is far and away the most enjoyable (and best) thing here.
  
  The cast and their delivery of snappy dialogue is fun, but the problem is that the story doesn’t live up to its potential. Starting out strong, the narrative loses momentum more rapidly than it should. Liman never digs far enough beneath the surface of his story, and everything (even the humor) feels too lightweight to matter. This causes the emotional moments to seem forced and the energy to lag. The fast-paced setup initially seems full of promise, but leads to a conclusion that feels more like a fizzle than a bang.
  
  By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS

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