The Instigators | Review & Score

About: 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.

Doug Liman and Matt Damon reunite with this charming buddy action-comedy.

It's a pretty fun film, with some solid comedic chemistry between Damon and co-star Casey Affleck. Throw in some Ron Perlman, Ving Rhames, Paul Walter Hauser and the incredibly talented Hong Chau for some added cinematic measurement.

The action sequences are good, the cast is great, the comedic moments are solid. It's the first time Liman and Damon have teamed up since The Bourne Identity, so it's been a minute. Affleck and Damon are a great duo on screen. I didn't know much about this movie until watching it (and looking it up on Letterboxd). When I saw it was more of an action-comedy, I was like "Damon and Affleck doing a buddy action comedy together? That's new."

Although not much screen time for Perlman, Rhames and Chau, they all try to make the most of it. Chau is too charming to overlook here. Her presence was some needed 'filler charm' between the two leads. Perlman was just kinda... there. Rhames is Rhames and he's a force of nature in his own right. Great role for him, btw. He's good at the Alpha boss type of ordeal. Suits him.

Overall, THE INSTIGATORS is a fun action-comedy, with a lot of charm, wit and solid action pieces. The story is a bit of a mess (and formulaic), but that's alright. As long as you're having fun with it and enjoying some laughable dialogue (in a good way), you'll get a good bit out of it. Sit down, don't think too much going in and have a blast with Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and the whole gang.

One last thing... let's get Damon and Affleck in some more action comedies. Thanks.

3/5