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The Instigators

  • 2024
  • R
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
41K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,165
404
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck in The Instigators (2024)
Follows two robbers who must go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a theft doesn't go as planned.
Play trailer2:22
8 Videos
28 Photos
Buddy ComedyCaperWhodunnitActionComedyCrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Follows two robbers who must go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a theft doesn't go as planned.Follows two robbers who must go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a theft doesn't go as planned.Follows two robbers who must go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a theft doesn't go as planned.

  • Director
    • Doug Liman
  • Writers
    • Chuck MacLean
    • Casey Affleck
  • Stars
    • Matt Damon
    • Casey Affleck
    • Hong Chau
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    41K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,165
    404
    • Director
      • Doug Liman
    • Writers
      • Chuck MacLean
      • Casey Affleck
    • Stars
      • Matt Damon
      • Casey Affleck
      • Hong Chau
    • 182User reviews
    • 91Critic reviews
    • 48Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos8

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    Official Trailer
    The Instigators
    Trailer 2:18
    The Instigators
    The Instigators
    Trailer 2:18
    The Instigators
    The Instigators: Car Chase
    Clip 1:23
    The Instigators: Car Chase
    The Instigators: Taking Notes
    Clip 1:52
    The Instigators: Taking Notes
    The Instigators: You're A Doctor
    Clip 1:17
    The Instigators: You're A Doctor
    The Instigators: Anybody In There?
    Clip 0:58
    The Instigators: Anybody In There?

    Photos27

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    Top Cast99+

    Edit
    Matt Damon
    Matt Damon
    • Rory
    Casey Affleck
    Casey Affleck
    • Cobby
    Hong Chau
    Hong Chau
    • Dr. Donna Rivera
    Jack Harlow
    Jack Harlow
    • Scalvo
    Michael Stuhlbarg
    Michael Stuhlbarg
    • Mr. Besegai
    Alfred Molina
    Alfred Molina
    • Richie Dechico
    Owen Earls
    Owen Earls
    • Charlie Haggerty
    Natalie Carter
    Natalie Carter
    • Mrs. Haggerty
    Walter Liebman
    • Terry
    • (as Walter Terry Liebman)
    André De Shields
    André De Shields
    • Mr. Kelly
    Ron Perlman
    Ron Perlman
    • Mayor Miccelli
    Rob Gronkowski
    Rob Gronkowski
    • Rob Gronkowski
    Toby Jones
    Toby Jones
    • Attorney Alan Flynn
    Slate Holmgren
    Slate Holmgren
    • Dave Wedge
    Ronnie Cho
    Ronnie Cho
    • Mark Choi
    Sheika Murray
    • Waiter #1 at Wharf
    Perry Strong
    Perry Strong
    • Waiter #2 at Wharf
    Nick Trice
    Nick Trice
    • City Hall Employee
    • Director
      • Doug Liman
    • Writers
      • Chuck MacLean
      • Casey Affleck
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews182

    6.241K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    8danieljfarthing

    Superbly cast, entertaining, jaunty, polished blockbuster buddy heist caper

    In superbly cast blockbuster buddy heist caper "The Instigators" stoic Matt Damon & carefree Casey Affleck are mis-matched strangers hired (by Michael Stuhlbarg (terrific) with Alfred Molina) to rob Boston's crooked mayor Ron Perlman (with lawyer Toby Jones) - but when things go badly wrong the duo are forced on the run (assisted by Damon's shrink Hong Chau) from the likes of Paul Walter Hauser (underused) & Ving Rhames. Director Doug Liman applies the requisite polish, and the screenplay from Affleck & debutant Chuck MacLean keeps events moving at a jaunty pace. It's not world-beating or world-changing, but it sure is entertaining. Recommended.
    7GalAlba

    A Fun Original Film Made For Adults

    It's a good Sunday afternoon feet up watch. Grab your snacks & enjoy.

    Starts a touch slow but builds. All the actors do their job.

    The biggest selling point for this film, is that, it is an actual original non-condensing fun film made for adults. And these days that's very rare. No remake, gender role reversal, super hero, victim chic in sight.

    The film isn't going to pull up trees. The script & direction/editing could have been better, but it is a solid 6.8 & as such it's enjoyable.

    There's not much more to say without sounding pretentious.

    This film is for popcorn & relaxation. The purpose of this film is at the heart of why movies are made; simply to entertain.
    jtrascap

    Yep, that's Boston all right

    Love the incessant patter between Afleck and Damon - my dad's family hails from Boston and Peabody and the yabbering between the two sounded just like many a Thanksgiving. Really fun, lightweight caper that gets a lot of its pleasure from the two bickering. Man, those two brought me back home.

    Great supporting cast and enough unforeseen twists to make it quite original. Not really for the family audience as they use the f-word like a preposition; often and in nearly every sentence. Very, very Boston...tender ears and delicate sensibilities may be easily offended.

    If you can turn your brain off and go along with the ride, then it's highly recommended!
    8betsyjohnson-11817

    Much better than I was expecting

    This was funny, clever, unique, had great dialogue, sympathetic characters and overall very entertaining! I'm glad I ignored the negative reviews because I really enjoyed this. Affleck and Damon have good chemistry, they are believable as buddies. I thought the script was quite fun and delivered nicely. The secondary characters were subtly effective and well acted. Though it was highly improbable and far fetched in places, the twists made it fun. Even the vehicle chases were exciting. A certain degree of justice was provided especially for the guys walking in the woods in Canada without boots.
    7Fooshnicken

    Lighthearted fun

    This is a lighthearted fun movie which doesn't take itself too seriously. Having watched the trailer a few weeks ago I was interested in seeing this. That said I am no Casey Affleck fan, but I have to say he was very good.

    This is one of those films where everything that could go wrong for the protagonists, does go wrong. I found myself chuckling at the ineptitude and misfortune of the main characters, and willing them on to achieve their goal. I also thought that psychiatrist played a great role in the film, at times dead pan, and at other times she was very funny.

    For me, this is a good old fashioned comedy crime caper and worth a look.

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    Related interests

    Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
    Buddy Comedy
    Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, and Elliott Gould in Ocean's Eleven (2001)
    Caper
    Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
    Whodunnit
    Bruce Willis and Taniel in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the heist Cobby (Affleck) calls Rory (Damon) Mr Longabaugh. This was the real name of the Sundance Kid.
    • Goofs
      Most cars, including BMWs, will not start after airbags deploy.
    • Quotes

      Cobby: Wow, look at all those negotiators over there. Looks like they're ready to make a deal.

    • Crazy credits
      SPOILER: After the main on end credits, there is a very brief scene wrapping up the plot line of Michael Stuhlbarg and Alfred Molina.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 956: The Instigators (2024)
    • Soundtracks
      Shout It Out Loud
      Written by Robert Ezrin (as Bob Ezrin), Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley

      Performed by KISS

      Courtesy of Island Records

      Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

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    FAQ16

    • How long is The Instigators?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 9, 2024 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Incitadores
    • Filming locations
      • Larry's Pub - 156 Rockaway Avenue, Valley Stream, New York, USA(Malachy's Saloon interior)
    • Production companies
      • Apple Original Films
      • Apple Studios
      • Apple TV+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,098
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 41m(101 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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