Caught Stealing
Since his memorable performance as Elvis, Austin Butler has followed a familiar career trajectory undertaken by many Oscar-nominated young actors. Rather than lending his name to more award-winning dramatic roles, he’s utilised his charisma in an altogether different way, showcasing his comedic skills in Ari Aster’s Eddington and, now, his action chops in Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing.
Set in 1998, Butler plays Hank, a Sam Malone of sorts for Millennials. Once a promising baseball player, his dreams came to a crashing halt following a personal tragedy. Now, he works in a bar owned by Paul (an unrecognisable Griffin Dunne in a long, white wig), and frequented by wiseguy, but nice guy, Edwin (an impressive Action Bronson in his first substantial big screen role). Haunted by his past, he finds respite in his endearing relationship with paramedic Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz).
Hank’s Mohawk-sporting British neighbour, Russ (Matt Smith), heads to London to see his dying father, leaving an unwitting Hank to care for his beloved cat. This proves to be the least of dog-lover Hank’s problems, however, with Russ leaving a band of quirky, albeit thoroughly bloodthirsty, mobsters in his absence. These include Hassidic gangsters Lipa (Liev Schreiber) and Shmully (Vincent D’Onofrio), and Bad Bunny doing his best Tony Montana impression as Colorado.
The labyrinthian nightmare in which Hank finds himself is unnerving, with twists skilfully implemented at every turn. There are a few moments of respite, with the plot unfolding at breakneck speed and interspersed with risible interludes. Smith, in particular, does a great job at offering comic relief, but at times appears to be channelling Vyvyan from The Young Ones.
With its 90s backdrop, there are nostalgic nods to then Mayor Giuliani, grunge rock and the increasing gentrification of New York. These themes help ground the film, as do subtle political overtones, but it would be nice if they were expanded on rather than hinted at.
It’s admittedly hard to believe that the erstwhile auteur behind The Wrestler and The Whale directed Caught Stealing. The gags, dialogue and action tropes feel as though they were lifted straight from the mind of Guy Ritchie. However, this twisty crime thriller delivers on both its action and celeb cameo-packed premise.
A likeable lead performance elevates a familiar tale of clock-ticking dramatics. Caught Stealing may not have Aronofsky’s trademark cinéma-vérité hand, but it’s nonetheless an engaging and consistently entertaining bit of fun.
Antonia Georgiou
Caught Stealing is released nationwide on 29th August 2025.
Watch the trailer for Caught Stealing here:
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