Warning! Contains spoilers for Apple TV+’s The Instigators.
Summary
A newMatt Damonmovie onApple TV+features a subtle nod toThe Wire, which hilariously breaks the HBO show’s most memorable rule. HBO’sThe Wireis often touted as one of the best shows of the 21st century, and rightfully so. Even though it has been over two decades since its initial release, the show’s reputation has only gotten better, and its influence remains profound in the world of television. For obvious reasons, the show’s everlasting influence has inspired many filmmakers and showrunners to borrow its storytelling style, ideas, running gags, and even dialogue.
Matt Damon’s new comedy thriller on Apple TV+ does not share a lot of common ground withThe Wirewhen it comes to storytelling and character beats. However, it features one subtle nod to the HBO series. Although this reference toThe Wirein the Apple TV+ film is easy to miss, it offers a delightful wink to audiences familiar with one memorable rule from the show.
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Matt Damon’s Rory In The Instigators Breaks Stringer Bell’s Rule From The Wire
He Takes Notes On A Criminal Conspiracy
Matt Damon plays a dimwitted character named Rory inApple TV+‘sThe Instigators, who, despite being a former marine, struggles to wrap his head around his role in a simple heist. After being hired to execute a high-stakes heist with two other men, Rory cannot help but ask a lot of silly questions about what he would have to do in different scenarios. The man leading the heist, Scalvo, patiently answers all his questions, while the Matt Damon character takes notes for future reference.
Edris Alba’s delivery of the rule is far more sophisticated and memorable, butThe Instigators’ nod toThe Wireis still well-timed and funny.
Even when Scalvo asks Rory to flaunt his gun as a warning if someone refuses to comply with him during the heist, he writes it down as a reminder in his notebook. The fact that Rory writes down every little detail surrounding the central heist in the filmis a hilarious violation ofThe Wire’s Stringer Bell rule: Do not take notes on a criminal conspiracy. Like Edris Elba’s Stringer Bell fromThe Wire, Scalvo fromThe Instigatorseven asks him why he is taking notes on a criminal conspiracy. Edris Alba’s delivery of the rule is far more sophisticated and memorable, butThe Instigators' nod toThe Wireis still well-timed and funny.
The Instigators' The Wire Reference Proves The HBO Show’s Undying Influence
It Highlights How The Show’s Story Beats & Quotes Will Forever Remain Relevant
The Instigators' subtle callback to one of themost iconic quotes fromThe Wireperfectly captures how the HBO show’s influence continues to reverberate through modern films and shows. By featuring the brief but clearly noticeable nod to Stringer’s best line fromThe Wire,The Instigatorsacknowledges the series' lasting impact on the crime genre. When it comes to critical ratings,The Instigatorsdoes not even come close to being as widely acclaimed asThe Wire. However, it is still hard not to appreciate how theMatt Damon Apple TV+film subtly underscores the ways in whichThe Wirechanged police shows and cable dramas.
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.
