What we flagged
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Our take
The Instigators is a messy Boston heist: two screw-ups, a therapist along for the ride, police, and a crime boss. You get constant f-word language, guns, beer, an overdose in the past, and direct talk of suicidal ideation. Comic tone, still MA 15+. 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
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 We did not see frightening in this one
We did not see frightening in this one
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 We did not see sexual violence in this one
We did not see sexual violence in this one
Child peril / abuse We did not see child peril in this one
We did not see child peril in this one
Bullying / discrimination We did not see bullying in this one
We did not see bullying in this one
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 We did not see dangerous behavior in this one
We did not see dangerous behavior in this one
Eating disorders / body image We did not see eating in this one
We did not see eating in this one
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 We did not see gambling in this one
We did not see gambling in this one
Grief / bereavement We did not see grief in this one
We did not see grief in this one
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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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?
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The Instigators
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