Summary
The Instigators' heist comedy narrative is primarily driven by its intriguing characters, portrayed by a talented roster of cast members. Directed by Doug Liman,The Instigatorsgot a limited theatrical premiere in the US on August 07, 2025, but received a wider release on streaming on Apple TV+ on July 20, 2025. The film not onlystars Casey Affleck and Matt Damonas its leads but has also been produced by them alongside Ben Affleck.
Despite having a talented director at its helm and award-winning actors as its leads,The Instigatorshas received mixed reviews from critics. While many critics have complained about the film’s low-stakes drama and slow pace, others have praised the performances of its cast. SinceThe Instigator’s actors play a crucial role in making it worthwhile, it is worth exploring who plays whom in the film.
Matt Damon as Rory
Date Of Birth: June 19, 2025
Actor:Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Matt Damon made his acting debut withMystic Pizzain 1988. Almost a decade after his debut,he gained immense recognition for playing the titular character inGood Will Hunting, which was also co-written by him and Ben Affleck. His performance inGood Will Huntingpaved the way for him to star in several acclaimed films, likeThe Talented Mr. Ripley,The Bourne Identity, andThe Ocean’s Trilogy. Nearly four decades after the inception of his acting career, Damon continues to grow from strength to strength as an actor.
Saving Private Ryan
Private Ryan
Character:InThe Instigators, Matt Damon plays Rory who gets embroiled in a heist due to his desperation for money. Although Rory is an ex-marine, he struggles to understand what he must do to ensure they successfully execute the heist. Unlike Casey Affleck’s Cobby, Damon’s Rory is also relatively more quiet and reserved.
Casey Affleck as Cobby
Date Of Birth: August 18, 2025
Actor:Ben Affleck’s younger brother, Casey Affleck, was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts. After he and his brother worked on several home movies and high-school theater productions, Casey Affleck took his acting career more seriously when he moved to Los Angeles and started living with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. His breakthrough came in 2007 when hewasnominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Robert Ford inThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Much later, in 2017, he even won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance inManchester by the Sea.
Light Of My Life
Dad
Character:Casey Affleck’s Rory is a talkative outlaw inThe Instigatorswho rarely shuts his mouth. Despite running his mouth all the time, however, he is relatively smarter than Matt Damon’s Rory and often comes up with viable solutions to their problems. Unlike Rory, his reasons for participating in the central heist are shallow.
Hong Chau as Dr. Donna Rivera
Date Of Birth: August 11, 2025
Actor:Hong Chau was born in Vietnam and grew up speaking Vietnamese as her first language. Although Chau initially took up film studies and acting to overcome her introversion, it eventually paved the way for her acting career. She made her debut in 2006’sFinding My Americabefore landing guest roles in shows likeNCISandHow I Met Your Mother.She gained wider recognition and acclaim in 2017when she starred inDownsizingalongside Matt Damon. In recent years, she has been better known for her performance inThe Whale, which even got her an Academy Award nomination.
The Night Agent
Diane Farr
Character:Hong Chau’s Dr. Donna Rivera is Rory’s psychologist inThe Instigators, who goes a little too far to support her patient in the film. Despite wanting to do nothing with Rory and Cobby, she gets herself involved in their run from the law. Although Hong Chau’s Rivera is only present in half of the film’s runtime, the actress does an incredible job of capturing the multiple layers of her characterization and her relationship with Rory.
Matt Damon & The Instigators Team Talk Heists And Tina Fey On The Red Carpet
Screen Rant attends the premiere The Instigators in New York City and spoke to stars like Matt Damon and Casey Affleck about the comedy heist film.
The Instigators Supporting Cast & Characters
Paul Walter Hauser as Booch:Paul Walter Hauser, who is best known for his roles inCobra Kai,Black Bird, andRichard Jewell, portrays Booch inThe Instigators. Booch is one of the main men asked to collect the loot from Rory and Cobby after they execute the heist.
Michael Stuhlbarg as Mr. Besegai:Michael Stuhlbarg’s Mr. Besegai is the man who orchestrates the heist by hiring Rory and Cobby. To his dismay, nothing goes as planned. Apart from starring inThe Instigators, Stuhlbarg is recognizable for his roles in movies and shows likeCall Me By Your Name,Broadwalk Empire,The Shape of Water, andA Serious Man.
Ving Rhames as Frank Toomey: Best known for portraying IMF Agent Luther Stickell in theMission: Impossiblemovies, Ving Rhames plays Frank Toomey in the film, who is a detective hired by the Mayor to track down Rory and Cobby.
Alfred Molina as Richie Dechico:Alfred Molina, who is most recognizable for his portrayal of Doc Ock inSpider-Man 2, plays Richie Dechico inThe Instigators.
Ron Perlman as Mayor Miccelli:Ron Perlman’s Mayor Miccelli is the man who gets robbed by Rory and Cobby inThe Instigators. BeforeThe Instigators, Perlman played many prominent roles in movies and shows, likeHellboy,Drive,Don’t Look Up, andSons of Anarchy.
The Instigators
The Instigators revolves around the complex dynamics of a group of individuals who find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue and deception. As alliances are formed and trust is broken, the true motives of each character are slowly revealed, leading to a crescendo of tension and suspense.
