Doug Liman is a director known for many things, but one of them, most notably here, is his unique and thrilling action flicks. Liman is a master at taking the most straightforward concept, putting random celebrities in it, and making it gold. In “The Instigators,” this seems no different.
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“The Instigators” seems to have it all. Two big stars, Casey Affleck and Matt Damon, and loads of inspiration—at least, according to Affleck, who has said it is inspired by films such as “Sundance Kid,” “Butch Cassidy,” and “Midnight Run.” To put a pin on what movie you’re in for, you will see Affleck and Damon, two people hired for a heist that will suddenly go wrong, and their relationship will change from frenemies to friends, with Damon becoming a desperate father named Rory. If you are a fan of “The Bourne Identity,” hearing Damon and Liman will probably make you jump out of your seat as, yes, this is their first reunion since that movie. The trailer released today by Apple focuses on Rory (Matt Damn) and Cobby’s (Cassey Affleck) relationship, and the action is also entirely on display.
The cast includes Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Hong Chau, Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, Toby Jones, with Jack Harlow and Ron Perlman. “The Instigators” is directed by Doug Liman, who already released on 2024 movie this year with “Roadhouse,” and co-written by one of its stars, Affleck and Chuck MacLean.
“The Instigators” arrives on Apple+ on August 2.
Here’s the 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 the 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. Directed by Doug Liman and written by Chuck MacLean and Affleck, “The Instigators” also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, and Toby Jones, with Jack Harlow and Ron Perlman.
“The Instigators” arrives on Apple+ on August 2. Watch the first trailer below.