The Instigatorsis a 2024 Americanheistcomedy filmdirected byDoug Limanand written by Chuck Maclean andCasey Affleck.The film stars Affleck andMatt Damon,with a supporting cast that includesHong Chau,Michael Stuhlbarg,Paul Walter Hauser,Ving Rhames,Alfred Molina,Toby Jones,Jack Harlow,andRon Perlman.
| The Instigators | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Doug Liman |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Henry Braham |
| Edited by | |
| Music by | Christophe Beck |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Apple TV+ |
Release date |
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Running time | 101 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $11,106[2][3] |
The Instigatorswas given alimited theatrical releasein the United States on August 2, 2024, before making its streaming debut onApple TV+on August 9, 2024. The film received mixed reviews from critics.
Plot
editIn the upcoming night ofBoston's mayoral election, corrupt incumbent Joseph Miccelli is organizing a celebration at the Wharf, expecting a massive influx of cash bribes. Local mobsters Besegai and Dechico plan to steal the money before it is picked up by armored car. They enlist their underling Scalvo, divorcedMarineveteran Rory, and alcoholic ex-con Cobby Murphy. Rory is adamant that he receive a share of exactly $32,480 and struggles to explain his motivations to his therapist, Dr. Rivera, while Cobby's bartender Mr. Kelly warns him not to return to his criminal ways.
The three would-be robbers sneak in through the kitchen, expecting to find it empty, but the event is still full of people; challenger Mark Choi has won the election, but Miccelli refuses to concede. The Wharf's safe has already been emptied, so Scalvo robs Miccelli and his inner circle instead, taking Miccelli's bracelet. When the chief of police intervenes, he and Scalvo shoot and kill each other and Cobby is wounded in the shoulder. He and Rory escape in the armored car, which they subsequently abandon after discovering an additional guard in the back of the truck. Laying low at Mr. Kelly's house, Rory and Cobby ask Dechico for help, but he sends thugs Booch and Colani to kill them instead.
With a manhunt for the thieves underway, Miccelli tasks Frank Toomey of theSpecial Operations Unitto recover the bracelet, which is engraved with the combination to his office safe. Toomey questions Dechico, while Rory confides to Cobby that his share of the money is meant to make amends with his estranged son. Booch and Colani arrive to murder the two thieves, who have cut the house's gas line. Rory and Cobby escape with the bracelet as the house explodes.
Rory brings Cobby to Dr. Rivera, after she agrees to be a willing hostage. They treat Cobby's gunshot wound, but are forced to flee in Rivera's car after she calls the police. Still determined to help Rory, Rivera joins them and they narrowly survive a high-speed police chase. Breaking into Mr. Kelly's empty bar, the three are confronted by Toomey, who leaves with Rivera and the bracelet. Surrounded by police, Cobby cuts the gas line again and escapes with Rory as the bar explodes.
Having memorized the combination, Cobby and Rory go to the mayor's office. Disguised as firefighters, they set off the fire alarms inCity Halland sneak inside, locking themselves in the mayor's office with his counsel, Alan Flynn. Unlocking Miccelli's safe, they discover millions of dollars in illicit cash, while Flynn offers to testify against Miccelli, giving them twohard driveswith evidence of the mayor's misdeeds.
The police surround City Hall and open fire, wounding Cobby again in the same shoulder. Sent in to negotiate with the thieves, Rivera exits the building with Flynn, while Rory and Cobby push the safe out of the window, leading the crowd outside to scramble for the cash. In the chaos, Rory and Cobby escape in a fire truck, but are soon confronted by Toomey, driving an assault armored vehicle. They offer him the drives in exchange for letting them go free, but he takes them into custody instead.
Meanwhile, Besegai and Dechico escape to a cabin and attempt to reach the Canadian border on foot, while Miccelli is arrested atLogan International Airportattempting to flee the state in disguise. Choi takes office and is given the drives, which hold account information worth $100 million in untraceable funds. Realizing that he can keep the money for himself as long as they don't indict Cobby and Rory, Choi lets them go, under the auspices of his Second Chance criminal justice reform platform. Rory reconnects with his son at a hockey game, while Cobby visits Rivera at home. In amid-credits scene,Besegai and Dechico are found frozen to death in the Canadian wilderness.
Cast
edit- Matt Damonas Rory
- Casey Affleckas Cobby Murphy
- Hong Chauas Dr. Donna Rivera
- Paul Walter Hauseras Booch
- Michael Stuhlbargas Mr. Besegai
- Ving Rhamesas Frank Toomey
- Alfred Molinaas Richie Dechico
- Toby Jonesas Alan Flynn
- Jack Harlowas Scalvo
- Ron Perlmanas Mayor Miccelli
- André De Shieldsas Mr. Kelly
- Toby Onwumereas John Wayne
- Rob Gronkowskias Himself
- Ronnie Cho as Mark Choi
- Scout Backus as Colani
Production
editIn December 2022,Apple TV+acquired the rights to the project, which would seeDoug Limandirecting andMatt DamonandCasey Affleckstarring.[4]Hong Chaujoined the cast in February 2023, with other cast members being announced in the following months.[5][6][7][8][9]Christophe Beckcomposed the film's score.[10]
The Instigatorswas produced byBen Affleckand Damon under their production companyArtists Equity,alongside Jeff Robinov, John Graham,Kevin J. Walshand Alison Winter, for distribution byApple TV+underApple Original Films.[3]According to the film'sclosing credits,the production benefitted from fiscal incentives established inSpanish Corporate Income Tax Law,with collaboration ofGovernment of Spain;thepost-productionservices were carried out inMadrid.
Principal photographybegan inBoston, MassachusettsandLong Island, New Yorkin March 2023,[11]with locations includingBova's BakeryinNorth Endand theNassau University Medical CenterinEast Meadow.[12][13]
Release
editThe Instigatorswasreleased in select theatersin the United States on August 2, 2024, before premiering onApple TV+on August 9.[14]
Reception
editOn thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,40% of 156 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "The alchemy of Casey Affleck and Matt Damon's knucklehead rapport provides some charm, but this laidback caper unravels due to a lack of intrigue and pulse."[15]Metacritic,which uses aweighted average,assigned the film a score of 48 out of 100, based on 38 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[16]
Future
editIn September 2024, Affleck and Damon said they were in early talks with Apple executives to star in a sequel, with Liman possibly returning to direct.[17]
References
edit- ^"The Instigators(15) ".British Board of Film Classification.July 24, 2024.RetrievedJuly 25,2024.
- ^"The Instigators (2024)".Box Office Mojo.IMDb.RetrievedAugust 16,2024.
- ^ab"The Instigators (2024)".The Numbers.Nash Information Services, LLC.RetrievedAugust 16,2024.
- ^Kroll, Justin (December 8, 2022)."Matt Damon And Casey Affleck Set To Star In Apple Original Films'The InstigatorsWith Doug Liman Directing ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedDecember 8,2022.
- ^Kroll, Justin (February 28, 2023)."Hong Chau Joins Matt Damon In Apple Original Films'The Instigators".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedFebruary 28,2023.
- ^Kroll, Justin (March 8, 2023)."Black BirdStar Paul Walter Hauser Reunites With Apple OnThe InstigatorsStarring Matt Damon ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 8,2023.
- ^Kroll, Justin (March 22, 2023)."Michael Stuhlbarg Joins Matt Damon And Casey Affleck InThe Instigators".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 22,2023.
- ^Kroll, Justin (March 28, 2023)."Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina And Ron Perlman Join Apple's 'The Instigators'".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 28,2023.
- ^Kroll, Justin (April 5, 2023)."Jack Harlow Joins Matt Damon And Casey Affleck InThe InstigatorsFor Apple ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
- ^"Christophe Beck Scoring Doug Liman's 'The Instigators'".Film Music Reporter.June 13, 2024.RetrievedAugust 11,2024.
- ^"Bova's Bakery owner 'a little nervous' but excited to close for Damon/Affleck movie shoot".CBS News.March 20, 2023.RetrievedMarch 22,2023.
- ^"Bova's Bakery in North End to close for Matt Damon, Casey Affleck movie shoot".WCVB. March 8, 2023.RetrievedMay 14,2023.
- ^"Matt Damon, Casey Affleck Filming New Movie on Long Island".Li Press.April 19, 2023.
- ^Miller, Mike (April 29, 2024)."Casey Affleck says Midnight Run inspired him to co-write Boston-set heist flick costarring Matt Damon".Entertainment Weekly.
- ^"The Instigators".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedNovember 23,2024.
- ^"The Instigators".Metacritic.Fandom, Inc.RetrievedAugust 24,2024.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 3, 2024)."Matt Damon & Casey Affleck On A PossibleThe InstigatorsSequel At Apple, Streaming's Future, Their Chemistry & Some Serious Fenway Park Love ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedSeptember 3,2024.
