The Instigators
★★★ 1/2
I had a blast watching The Instigators. Despite some mixed reviews, I found it to be a thoroughly entertaining heist movie with a fun twist. Matt Damon and Casey Affleck shine together, their chemistry and witty banter adding plenty of charm to the film. Affleck’s dry humor in quiet tones might had me missing a few jokes, but his performance really sells the dynamic between the two leads.
The movie doesn’t exactly break new ground, and its ending feels a bit rushed, but it compensates with impressive car chases and some intriguing political commentary on heroism and the armed forces. Plus, the surprise cameos—like Alfred Molina, Ving Rhames, Michael Stuhlbarg and Ron Perlman—add a nice touch. And Hong Chau was a standout, bringing something fresh to the mix.
While The Instigators isn’t a game-changer, it’s a solid watch, perfect for a relaxed movie night. It’s surprising that a film with such a star-studded cast directed by the experienced director, Doug Liman, could slip under the radar, but that’s the way it goes these days.
