The Instigators review – Matt Damon and Casey Affleck languish in heist caper misfire

The proven pairing of Matt Damon and Casey Affleck (so effortlessly natural together in Gus Van Sant’s slacker disaster flick Gerry) is not enough to salvage The Instigators. Directed by Doug Liman cosplaying Steven Soderberg, this plodding botched heist comedy follows bankrupt former marine Rory (Damon) and ex-con Cobby (Affleck, who co-wrote the screenplay and is overly generous with his character’s share of the dialogue). The pair attempt to steal a stash of dirty money from a corrupt politician, but find themselves on the run with all of Boston’s cops in pursuit. It should be pulpy fun powered by car chases and zippy repartee, but The Instigators is a dispiriting and predictable drag of a movie.

• In select cinemas and on Apple TV+