Matt Damon is having a massive 2026, with his Netflix hit The Rip dominating early in the year and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey poised to be a summer blockbuster. But before all that, one of his more polarizing films is quietly making waves on streaming: The Instigators, a crime thriller that landed on Apple TV+ in 2024, is now a global phenomenon on the platform.
A Streaming Comeback for the Ages
Released directly to Apple TV+ in the summer of 2024, The Instigators earned a modest 41% critics' score and 55% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, despite these lukewarm reviews, the film has become one of Apple TV+'s most-watched movies in dozens of countries. This streaming resurgence proves that sometimes, audience appetite trumps critical consensus.
The film pairs Damon with Oscar winner Casey Affleck, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Chuck MacLean. Doug Liman, known for hits like The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow, directed, but couldn't replicate that same magic here. Still, the chemistry between Damon and Affleck—real-life friends and frequent collaborators—gives the heist comedy a grounded charm.
What Is 'The Instigators' About?
The official synopsis: Rory (Damon) and Cobby (Affleck) are an unlikely duo—a desperate father and an ex-con thrown together for a heist. When the job goes sideways, they team up with Rory's therapist (Hong Chau) to outrun police, corrupt bureaucrats, and a vengeful crime boss. The cast also includes rapper Jack Harlow as Scalvo, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alfred Molina, and Owen Earls.
While the film didn't set critics on fire, its blend of action, comedy, and heartfelt moments has found a loyal audience on streaming. For fans of the 2020s' three true action-thriller masterpieces, The Instigators offers a lighter, more character-driven take on the genre.
Damon's 2026: A Year of Blockbusters and Streaming Hits
Damon's 2026 started strong with The Rip, a Netflix crime thriller co-starring Ben Affleck, which became the platform's #1 movie until War Machine overtook it. This summer, he'll lead Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, a historical epic also starring Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway. But The Instigators proves that even Damon's so-called "misfires" can find a second life on streaming.
For those who missed it in 2024, now is the perfect time to catch The Instigators on Apple TV+. And if you're in the mood for more gripping crime dramas, check out Criminal Record Season 2, which is dominating streaming in April 2026.
With The Odyssey on the horizon and The Instigators still pulling in viewers, Matt Damon is proving that his appeal spans both critical darlings and crowd-pleasing entertainments. Whether you're a fan of his Bourne-era action or his more recent comedic turns, there's something for everyone in his ever-growing filmography.
