The Instigators: Full cast list

Apple TV's latest heist comedy, The Instigators, is lined up for release this weekend for streaming. The movie is directed by Doug Liman and written by Chuck Maclean and Casey Affleck. Following a limited theatrical release in the United States on August 2, 2024, it's making its streaming debut on Apple TV+ on August 9, 2024.

The story follows Rory, a struggling father, who reluctantly teams up with Cobby, an ex-con to pursue a crooked politician and his illicit funds. The Instigators explores how their heist quickly spirals out of control, forcing the duo to flee. In an unexpected twist, Rory and Cobby enlist the help of Rory’s therapist to execute their escape plan.

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Cast list of The Instigators

Matt Damon as Rory

The Academy Award-winning Matthew Paige Damon stars as Rory in The Instigators. Damon made his acting debut with Mystic Pizza (1988) but gained international recognition for his performance in Good Will Hunting.

He also starred as Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and Jason Bourne in the Bourne franchise (2002–2007; 2016). Damon received a nomination for an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for playing an astronaut stranded on Mars in The Martian (2015).

Some of his other features include Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Departed (2006), Ford v Ferrari (2019) and Oppenheimer (2023).

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Casey Affleck as Cobby

American actor Casey Affleck is the younger brother of Ben Affleck. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in the PBS television film Lemon Sky (1988), followed by To Die For (1995), Good Will Hunting (1997), Gerry (2002) and the Ocean's film series (2001–2007).

Affleck was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Casey Affleck has also appeared in Tower Heist (2011), ParaNorman (2012), Interstellar (2014) and Oppenheimer (2023). His starring role in Manchester by the Sea earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. He plays Rory's partner Cobby in The Instigators.

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Hong Chau as Dr. Donna Rivera

Hong Chau, a talented actor who hails from Thailand, is known for her works in The Whale (2022), Downsizing (2017), The Night Agent (2023) and The Menu (2022).

Hong Chau has also appeared in the TV series Treme (2010–2013), the HBO limited series Watchmen (2019) and the Prime Video series Homecoming (2018–2020).

She's also notable for her leading roles in Driveways and American Woman. Chau plays Rory's therapist in the Apple TV movie.

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Other cast members of The Instigators

Here's the list of supporting actors and their roles:

• 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
• André De Shields as Mr. Kelly
• Toby Onwumere as John Wayne
• Rob Gronkowski as himself

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More about The Instigators: Plot and trailer

The official synopsis of the Apple TV movie reads as follows:

"Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck) are reluctant partners: a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together to pull off a robbery of the ill-gained earnings of a corrupt politician. But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police, but also backwards bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses."

It continues:

"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."

The Instigators is co-written by Casey Affleck and Chuck MacLean, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, John Graham, Jeff Robinov and Alison Winter as producers, and Celia D. Costas and Kevin Halloran as the executive producers.

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Catch The Instigators on Apple TV Plus tomorrow.