Our take
The Instigators is a messy Boston heist: two screw-ups, a therapist along for the ride, police, and a crime boss. Expect constant f-word language, guns, beer, an overdose in the past, and direct talk of suicidal ideation. Comic tone, still R. Older teens and adults
Story (may spoil tone)
Rory and Cobby are unlikely partners thrown together for a heist. But when it goes awry, they team up with an unusual accomplice — Rory's therapist — to outrun police, backward bureaucrats, and a vengeful crime boss.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Guns, a heist gone wrong, and a lot of pointing weapons. Comedy shootou…
Guns, a heist gone wrong, and a lot of pointing weapons. Comedy shootouts, still armed
Language Constant f-word language from the first conversation
Constant f-word language from the first conversation
Sex / nudity A naked-as-the-Lady-in-the-Clam gag and affair talk. No sex scene
A naked-as-the-Lady-in-the-Clam gag and affair talk. No sex scene
Drugs / alcohol Beer, a bar, and a friend who overdosed. Alcohol is the social glue
Beer, a bar, and a friend who overdosed. Alcohol is the social glue
Frightening No frightening found in this title
No frightening found in this title
Self-harm / suicide Suicidal ideation is named, and characters keep asking if someone is tr…
Suicidal ideation is named, and characters keep asking if someone is trying to die
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Guns in faces, drop-the-gun standoffs. Weapons more than gore
Guns in faces, drop-the-gun standoffs. Weapons more than gore
Dangerous behaviour No dangerous behavior found in this title
No dangerous behavior found in this title
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health A therapist is a main character. Panic and underlying mental-health iss…
A therapist is a main character. Panic and underlying mental-health issues are spoken aloud
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement No grief found in this title
No grief found in this title
Talk after watching
- A therapist gets pulled into a crime. What does help look like when the room is this chaotic?
- Suicide is named out loud, then played next to jokes. How did that sit?