Rory, a desperate father, and Cobby, a former prisoner, are forced to team up to commit a heist. When everything goes wrong, they team up with an unexpected accomplice, Rory's psychologist, to escape from the police, corrupt officials, and a vengeful boss.

That's the premise of The Instigators, the new movie from Apple TV+, which goes straight to the platform even though by the technical team and the actors involved, it could well have been released in theaters.

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck (Oscar winner for Manchester By The Sea) portray Rory and Cobby, two men who will be partners much to their regret, who join forces to steal the illegal fortune of a corrupt politician. But when their plan goes awry and they find themselves pursued not only by the police, but also by crime bosses and shady bureaucrats, they will have to set aside their differences and work together to avoid the worst.

Casey Affleck, Doug Liman and Matt Damon

Together Again

Doug Liman, who has directed hits like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow and The Bourne Identity, the movie that launched Damon's career as an action hero, was the actor's first choice as soon as he received the script for this movie at Artist Equity, the production company he leads with Ben Affleck.

"Doug was the only person we thought of to do it," Damon says in the production notes provided to the press by Apple TV+. "He is very good at setting the right tone and has done it many times. It's as if he invents a completely new world for each movie."

"There was a lot of improvisation on set, Doug encouraged us to contribute ideas, but he kept us rowing in the same direction," Damon adds. "We could say, what would make it more fun? What would make it more flashy? Everyone was serious, everyone worked hard, but the atmosphere remained relaxed and everyone could give their best."

The Odd Couple

At the dramatic and comedic center of the movie are the differences between the two main characters. Affleck plays someone who has lived in and out of the criminal world and Matt plays someone who has been through all sorts of bad things and made mistakes, but has never done anything illegal.

"Cobby always seeks to laugh, but in reality his life has been especially tough," Affleck explains. "Until we meet him, he has experienced nothing but abandonment and betrayal. He has always felt defamed and misunderstood. He is nothing like Matt's character, except that both are hitting rock bottom. Both are at their lowest point."

Rory, on the other hand, is a former marine going through a tough time. "At the beginning of the movie, he is quite depressed for not being able to support his son," Liman adds. "He is a outcast, a worker totally committed to following the rules, but his desperate need for a quick cash injection makes him willing to do whatever it takes."

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence