Apple TV+ has unveiled the first official trailer for Doug Liman's The Instigators, an upcoming heist thriller featuring Academy Award-winners and Boston natives Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting, The Martian, The Departed) and Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea, Oppenheimer, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford). The film stars the duo as two thieves forced to flee with their therapist, played by Academy Award-nominee Hong Chau, following a bungled robbery.
The film's synopsis describes Rory (Damon) and Cobby (Affleck) as reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con who come together to execute a robbery targeting the ill-gotten gains of a corrupt politician. However, when the heist goes awry, they find themselves caught in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued by the police, inept bureaucrats, and vengeful crime bosses. Out of their depth, they enlist Rory’s therapist (Chau) in their tumultuous escape through the city. Forced to put aside their differences, they must work together to avoid capture—or worse.
In addition to Damon and Affleck, the film's cast features Hong Chau as "Dr. Donna Rivera," Paul Walter Hauser as "Booch," Michael Stuhlbarg as "Mr. Besegai," Ving Rhames as "Frank Toomey," Alfred Molina as "Richie Dechico," Toby Jones as "Alan Flynn," Jack Harlow as "Scalvo," Ron Perlman as "Mayor Miccelli," and other notable actors including Caylee Cowan, Don DiPetta, Heidi Garza, David Gborie, Sidney Bottino, Tom Mariano, Richie Moriarty, and Rob Gronkowski.
The Instigators marks a significant reunion between Damon and Liman, their first collaboration since 2002's The Bourne Identity. That film was both a critical and commercial hit, grossing over $214 million worldwide on an estimated $60 million budget. It also spawned three successful sequels led by Damon and a spinoff. Currently, a sixth installment is in development, with Damon expected to reprise his iconic role.
This project will also be the seventh time Damon and Affleck have appeared together on screen, following Good Will Hunting, Gerry, Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, Interstellar, and Oppenheimer. Their on-screen chemistry is well-established, adding a layer of anticipation for audiences familiar with their previous collaborations.
Produced under Damon and Ben Affleck's Artists Equity banner, The Instigators showcases the continued creative synergy between the two actors and their commitment to bringing compelling narratives to the screen. With a blend of high-stakes action and character-driven drama, the film promises to be a thrilling addition to both actors' illustrious careers and a standout offering in the heist genre.
As the release date approaches, excitement is building for what is anticipated to be one of the year's most exhilarating films. The combination of Liman's direction, a star-studded cast, and a gripping plot ensures that The Instigators will be a must-watch for fans of action and heist thrillers alike.
The Instigators will hit select theaters on August 2, and will start streaming, exclusively on Apple TV+, on August 9!
Watch the official trailer below:
Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck) are reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together to rob a corrupt politician's ill-gained earnings. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police but also by backward bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses. Completely out of their depth, they convince Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau) to join their riotous getaway through the city, where they must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture — or worse. Directed by Doug Liman and written by Chuck MacLean and Affleck, “The Instigators” also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina and Toby Jones, with Jack Harlow and Ron Perlman.