Pervasive swearing throughout, including versions of "f--k," "s--t," "ass," "damn" and "goddamn," "hell," "pr--k," "c--k," "douchebag," "p---y," "d--k," "son of a bitch," "bum," "idiot," "punk." "Jesus Christ" as an exclamation.
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People get shot and hold others at gunpoint. Some characters die. Cars crash in high-speed chases. A man is considering suicide. A man's head is held under water. Several buildings explode or are caught on fire, with some injuries. People threaten other people.
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Although he goes about it illegally, Rory has good intentions in trying to find cash and spend time with his son again. Other characters also commit crimes and engage in illegal activities; most seem to be acting solely out of self-interest.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the Boston-set crime caper The Instigators stars Matt Damon and Casey Affleck in a film with pervasive swearing and violence. People get shot and hold others at gunpoint. Some characters die, others are threatened. Cars crash in multiple high-speed chases, and buildings are set on fire or explode. A man is considering suicide. Adults also drink alcohol, and one character has a drinking problem; he uses others, including a small child, to pass a breathalyzer test. Language includes versions of "f--k," "s--t," "ass," "damn" and "goddamn," "hell," "pr--k," "c--k," "douchebag," "p---y," "d--k," "son of a bitch," "bum," "idiot," and "punk" and exclamations of "Jesus Christ." An Asian political candidate is referred to as the "Chinaman." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Katherine R.Parent of 12, 14, 18+, 18+, 18+ and 5-year-old
August 25, 2024
age 17+
What's the Story?
Rory (Matt Damon) is depressed because a pile of divorce-related debt is keeping him from seeing his son in THE INSTIGATORS. His psychiatrist, Dr. Rivera (Hong Chau), is worried about him potentially hurting himself. She asks if he's tried everything, and he answers no. Skip to the next scene, and Rory is getting involved in a madcap heist involving Boston's corrupt mayor (Ron Perlman) and led by a smarter-than-he-looks petty criminal, Cobby (Casey Affleck). Rory wants an exact amount out of the heist to pay off his debts. He's about to get a lot more than he bargained for.
The droll humor of this Boston-set heist film doesn't provide laugh-out-loud moments, but it does keep the dialogue-heavy twists of fate entertaining. Locals are likely to especially enjoy the many inside jokes and references of Affleck's script for The Instigators, co-written with Quincy-raised Chuck MacLean (City on a Hill). In fact, commenting on (and showing, behind car chases) Beantown's idiosyncrasies feels like more of the point than the actual action. Affleck and Damon have a natural chemistry, but the real standout here is Hong Chau in the role of Damon's no-nonsense psychiatrist. A closing scene involving her character provides a perfect ending.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Rory and Cobby learn from their experiences in The Instigators. How does each character evolve from the beginning of the film to the end?
How does Boston play a role in this film? Where can you go to find out more information about some of the local references and locations seen in the movie?
MPAA explanation:
pervasive language and some violence
Last updated:
August 8, 2024
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