The Instigators: Why the Casey Affleck Matt Damon Movie is Better Than Critics Say

You know that feeling when you're watching two old friends bicker and you can just tell they’ve been doing this since they were in diapers? That’s the entire vibe of The Instigators. It’s the latest Casey Affleck Matt Damon movie, and honestly, it feels like a homecoming for two of Boston’s favorite sons. Released on Apple TV+ in August 2024, it didn't exactly set the world on fire with the critics.

Some called it "messy." Others said it lacked a "pulse."

They're mostly wrong.

If you go in expecting The Bourne Identity or some high-stakes Ocean’s Eleven masterpiece, yeah, you’ll be disappointed. But that’s not what this is. This is a "knucklehead" movie. It’s a story about two guys who are spectacularly bad at being criminals. And because it's Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, the chemistry is so thick you could spread it on a Fenway Frank.

What is The Instigators actually about?

The plot is basically a comedy of errors. Matt Damon plays Rory, a former Marine who’s kind of hit rock bottom. He’s depressed, he’s broke, and he needs exactly $32,480. Not a penny more, not a penny less. Why? To pay back child support and get his life together. It’s a very "Matt Damon" role—serious, stoic, and slightly miserable.

Then you’ve got Cobby, played by Casey Affleck. Cobby is an ex-con, an alcoholic, and a professional smart-ass. He’s the guy who has to have a neighborhood kid breathe into his motorcycle’s breathalyzer just so he can go to the store.

They get hired to rob a corrupt politician on election night. The plan is simple: sneak in, grab the bribe money, get out.

💡 You might also like: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong

Naturally, everything goes sideways in about five minutes.

The money isn’t there. A cop ends up dead. Rory and Cobby find themselves on the run through the streets of Boston with a literal "Special Ops" unit and the entire police force on their tails. Oh, and they eventually kidnap Rory’s therapist, played by the incredible Hong Chau, because Rory is so committed to his mental health journey that he won't miss a session even while being a fugitive.

A Boston Movie Through and Through

One thing you've gotta give this movie credit for is the setting. It’s not just "filmed in Boston." It is Boston. They filmed at City Hall Plaza, Faneuil Hall, and all over the North End. You can feel the cold air and the gray skies.

It’s also produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon through their company, Artists Equity. This is their thing now. They want to make movies where the people behind the scenes—the crew, the writers—actually get a fair shake. Casey Affleck actually co-wrote the script with Chuck MacLean. You can tell. The dialogue has that specific, fast-talking, cynical humor that only people who grew up in Cambridge really get.

Why the Casey Affleck Matt Damon movie works (despite the reviews)

Look, a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes is rough. I get it. But there’s a difference between a "bad movie" and a "movie that is just vibing."

The real magic here isn't the heist. It’s the car rides.

📖 Related: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted

There’s this one scene where Rory, Cobby, and the therapist are fleeing from the cops in a crashed-up SUV. They aren't talking about the police. They’re arguing about the radio. They're discussing Rory's emotional trauma while driving 90 miles per hour. It’s absurd. It’s kinda stupid. And it’s hilarious.

The Supporting Cast is Stacked

If you’re wondering why this movie feels a bit more "prestige" than your average direct-to-streaming action flick, look at the cast list.

• Hong Chau: She steals every scene. As the therapist who ends up as a "willing hostage," she brings a level of sanity that makes the two leads look even more ridiculous.
• Ron Perlman: He plays the corrupt Mayor Miccelli. He’s basically a cartoon villain, but in the best way possible.
• Ving Rhames: He plays a "fixer" for the police. He doesn't say much, but he doesn't have to.
• Michael Stuhlbarg & Alfred Molina: They play the low-level mob bosses who set the whole thing in motion. Watching these two interact is like a masterclass in character acting.

Even Jack Harlow shows up for a bit. He plays Scalvo, the guy who's supposed to be the "mastermind" but ends up being the first one to realize they are all way over their heads.

Misconceptions about The Instigators

A lot of people saw the trailer and thought this was going to be a gritty thriller. It’s not. It’s a caper.

The movie is only 101 minutes long. It moves fast. Some people hate that it doesn't dive deep into the lore of the corrupt Boston government, but honestly? Who cares? We’ve seen that movie a thousand times. We haven't seen Matt Damon take notes during a heist briefing because he wants to make sure he follows the instructions correctly.

Rory is a guy who is so "by the book" that he tries to use a turn signal during a high-speed chase. That’s the joke. If you don't find that funny, you probably won't like the movie.

👉 See also: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground

Is there a sequel coming?

Kinda. There’s been a lot of talk about a follow-up. Given that it’s an Apple Original, the "box office" numbers don't matter as much as the streaming hours. People seem to be discovering it on a random Saturday night and realizing it’s actually a pretty fun watch. Casey and Matt have both hinted they’d be down to do another one because, let's be real, they just want an excuse to hang out in Boston and eat cannolis from Mike's Pastry.

How to watch and what to look for

If you’re going to sit down and watch this Casey Affleck Matt Damon movie, do yourself a favor: stop checking your phone. The best parts are the tiny verbal jabs.

1. Watch the background: Since they filmed on location, you’ll see real Boston landmarks. It’s fun to spot the MBTA delays—even the movie version of the T is a mess.
2. Listen to the therapy talk: The way Rory applies his therapy lessons to his criminal activity is the smartest part of the script.
3. Check out the chemistry: This is the first time these two have headlined a movie together since Gerry in 2002. They were in the Ocean's movies and Good Will Hunting, but they were always part of a bigger group. Here, it’s just them.

Real-world Actionable Insights

If you're a fan of these two, don't just stop at The Instigators.

• Watch 'Gerry' (2002): It’s a weird, experimental movie where they get lost in the desert. It’s the polar opposite of The Instigators, but it shows how long they’ve been working on this "two guys talking" dynamic.
• Check out 'Manchester by the Sea': If you want to see Casey Affleck’s Oscar-winning range, this is it. It’ll make you appreciate how much fun he’s having being a goofball in The Instigators.
• Follow Artists Equity: Keep an eye on the movies coming out of Damon and Ben Affleck's production company. They are trying to change how Hollywood pays creators, and supporting their films (like Air or The Instigators) is a vote for that model.

The movie ends with a fire truck chase that is peak Doug Liman (the guy who directed Mr. & Mrs. Smith). It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s perfectly Boston. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a damn good time.

Go watch The Instigators on Apple TV+. Pay attention to the way Casey Affleck delivers his lines—most of the best ones were probably improvised. Check out the 2026 release The Rip afterward if you want to see how Matt and Ben Affleck handle a similar crime vibe in South Florida.