The Instigators 2024 / A stacked cast and an impressive budget can’t save this lackluster action comedy

With the high-caliber list of actors starring in The Instigators, you’d think the movie would be better—not necessarily novel or smart, but funny or entertaining, at least. You keep waiting for that moment to happen, but it never comes. If there are jokes, they’re delivered in a deadpan manner that doesn’t seem to fit with the movie’s tone. The Instigators is an okay film to put on when you’re scrambling to look for something to watch with your dad. He’ll recognize more than a few faces and enjoy the banter between hardcore Bostonians Damon and Affleck (the other one). Backed by Apple’s deep pockets, it’s also a spectacle of an action film, with explosions and car crashes to spare. Just don’t expect anything more than that, then you should be able to sit through the movie.