When Hollywood combines the star power of Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, expectations run high for a heartfelt crime caper. Unfortunately, their recent film, The Instigators, directed by Doug Liman, fails to live up to the hype, landing somewhere between forgettable and painfully mediocre. It’s almost as if the duo sleepwalks through their roles, leaving audiences wondering what went wrong.
The premise of The Instigators is straightforward yet familiar. Damon plays Rory, a down-on-his-luck ex-Marine struggling to maintain his role as a father, and Affleck stars as Cobby, his boozy friend with questionable ties to the underworld. Together, they become entangled in the chaotic world of crime, tasked with robbing the corrupt mayor of Boston, played by Ron Perlman. The backdrop—a high-stakes political election—adds richness to the narrative, but it seems to miss the mark entirely.
One might think the heat of political corruption would add depth, yet the film is quick to transform from potential shenanigans to slapstick absurdity. Their heist, which should propel the film forward, quickly goes awry. Miscalculations abound, including timing errors and insufficient planning, resulting in empty vaults and haphazard decisions. Audience members may relate to the struggle—who hasn’t felt like their plans went south when they least expected it? Still, the film barely scratches the surface of meaningful character development.
From the outset, it is clear Rory and Cobby are not your typical seasoned criminals. Rory's motivations are compelling enough to evoke empathy; he's desperate, having been through experiences most could not fathom, including therapy sessions where he admits he’s unsure how to get out of his circumstances. On the other hand, Cobby’s unfortunate decision-making and drunken bravado may come across as entertaining for some, but it fails to anchor the pair’s dynamic.
The film showcases moments of tension, but they often feel forced. For example, as they sprint away from the site of their botched heist, audiences witness danger lurking from corrupt cops, vengeful gangsters, and investigators, represented by the menacing Ving Rhames. While Rhames lends his talents to create tension, the script seems to misfire, pushing the narrative toward humorous misfires instead of genuine peril.
Another complicator is the cast of characters surrounding Rory and Cobby. Veteran actors like Alfred Molina and Michael Stuhlbarg make brief appearances, but their talents are wasted on thinly written roles. Instead of enhancing the film's tension or comic relief, their presence often feels like mere decoration, with little impact on the narrative's progression.
There’s also the notable question of chemistry between Damon and Affleck. Critics have remarked on the duo’s banter feeling more awkward than endearing. Their exchanges, intended to provide comic relief and camaraderie, more often read as strained and forced. Those who came to bask in the nostalgia of their dynamic, remembering their effortless rapport from earlier works like Ocean's Eleven, may find themselves disappointed.
The film attempts to navigate typical heist movie tropes—comedic breakdowns, unexpected twists, and the eventual race against the clock—but those elements come across as hollow and predictable. Imagine watching two hours of familiar scenarios played out on screen, and you get The Instigators. The narrative attempts to infuse cleverness but only replicates the genre’s clichés. The winks to the audience, positioning the film as self-aware, might land better if it offered something different.
Further compounding its flaws is the direction by Liman. Known for earlier successes and fresh takes, the director's current execution lacks the vigor the film desperately needs. He often seems caught between wanting to provide thrills and delivering comedic delight. Instead, he delivers what feels like muted responses and stale comedic moments, failing to build urgency or suspense even during the film’s supposedly climactic moments.
The film tries to build something resembling emotional stakes. Rory’s desperation to provide for his son opens opportunities for genuine interplay, but those moments are fleeting. Moments with his therapist, played by Hong Chau, bring out vulnerability, yet even those are sidelined for slapstick chases or awkward exchanges with criminals on their tail.
Throughout the film’s runtime, the ensemble scintillates with talent yet fails to shine. From supporting roles vying for time on screen, like Toby Jones and Jack Harlow, to the steady, competent performances of Stuhlbarg and Rhames, the team feels explorative rather than cohesive. The infusion of many recognizable faces hints at potential, but the assembly doesn’t create the collaborative synergy one would hope for.
And let’s talk about the pacing—or the lack thereof. The film stumbles through montage sequences and overly long dialogues, diluting what should be carefully crafted laughs or climaxes. Once exhilarating car chases feel more sluggish at times, reducing anticipation to mild curiosity. Those moments might make the viewership scratch their heads, wishing for heightened tension and excitement.
Critics are divided on whether The Instigators adds something valuable to the heist-comedy genre. Many deem it unworthy of the hallowed comparisons to classic heist films. With films such as The Town standing tall as benchmarks, The Instigators appears as little more than shadows, riddled with ill-timed humor and disjointed action. It seems to be searching for the deep emotional core found in classic boss background payoffs, falling instead back to one-liners and predictable tropes.
So, what’s left once the film’s final credits roll? A flicker of regret for the potential it squandered. Audiences who turn out for the sheer star power of Damon and Affleck might find their needs unmet, wondering if comedy is genuinely inherent or if it, too, can fall flat. If one dares to watch it, perhaps go in expecting less, maybe find laughter where the film falters, and reflect on what could have been crafted if gone about differently.
While not entirely devoid of humor or compelling moments, The Instigators feels like the sum of clichés and missed opportunities, leading one to wonder how often Hollywood attempts to blend genre expectations with star power only to trip over itself and leave its actors—much like its characters—stumbling through plots unscripted. The jury may well still be out on whether streaming platforms should focus on high-concept or high-profile, but as it stands, The Instigators may be destined to blend first with forgotten titles rather than legendary franchises.
