The 2024 buddy movie The Instigators works with an edge. Take away the trappings of the film and it is just a buddy movie. But, the “edge” is the director.
We can forgive Liman for his ill advised rehash of Roadhouse. Why? Because he made the superlative Edge of Tomorrow. A film with the tagline of: ‘Live, Die, Repeat,” that is, perhaps, my all time favorite movie.
He proves that he has the edge, yet again, with The Instigators.
The Story
Due to big mouth Scalvo in their organization, Besegai and Dechio have no one to pull off their big job. Cobby and Rory get roped into the robbery by the big mouth to save face.
The job goes horribly wrong.
The big mouth gets whacked and the two “newbies” have to run for their lives. Rory’s shrink goes along for the ride.
The Main Cast
Matt Damon is Rory. An Marine who has PTSD and a screwed up life.
Casey Affleck is Cobby. Alcoholic and ex con.
Michael Stuhlbarg is Mr Besegai. He is the head of the criminal organization.
Alfred Molina is Richie Dechio, Besegai’s sidekick.
Hong Chau is Dr Rivers, Rory’s shrink.
Ron Perlman is Mayor Micelli. Crooked as the day is long.
Toby Jones is Michelli’s right hand man.
Ving Rhames is the uncredited terminator cop: Toomey.
Why this works
No one likes anyone. Each character irritates the crap out of the other characters. From the Mayor to Scalvo (Jack Harlow) each person in this tale distrusts and actively dislikes their coworkers.
Affleck co-wrote this one with Chuck MacLean and his insanely verbal ex con is the glue that sticks this one together. There are two different levels of criminals here. The politicos and the gun toting robbers.
Every character is memorable. A shrink who insists that her car be totally written off for insurance purposes. A firechief who clearly has anger management issues. Cops who multiply like rabid rabbits when it is time for a shoot out.
Rory, the vet, is pedantic to the extreme. Cobby questions everything and Michelli wants to kill everyone.
As does Besegai.
It is a buddy movie
Like The Odd Couple, or like the similarly quirky and fun Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, The Instigators is all about odd pairings and snarky delivery. This could be a top runner for my favorite film of 2024.
The Verdict
This is a solid 5 star romp. Liman is on fire here with an excellent script and practically perfect cast. It is streaming on Apple +.
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