‘The Instigators’ Review: Damon and Affleck Shine as Bumbling Criminals in Comic Caper

Even when the script feels loose, Doug Liman’s new movie remains a fun ride

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck in "The Instigators," coming soon to Apple TV+
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck in "The Instigators," coming soon to Apple TV+

Despite winning an Oscar for playing the saddest man in all existence in “Manchester by the Sea,” Casey Affleck’s earlier roles seemed well aware that he could nail the role of an annoying kid brother. One of the best jokes in “Good Will Hunting” is Affleck in the backseat of the car singing, “I wish I had a double burger…” and then he brought that same irritating-yet-endearing energy to the trilogy of “Ocean’s” movies. While Affleck may not be playing a kid brother in his new movie “The Instigators,” it’s the same type of chattering tag-along that works incredibly well for him (and perhaps no surprise that he also co-wrote the script).

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