Film Review: Caught Stealing
2 min read
“Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay. He’s got a great girl (Zoë Kravitz), tends bar at a New York dive, and his favourite team is making an underdog run at the pennant. When his punk-rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out” – Sony Pictures UK
Snapshot Review: Characters spiraling completely out of control are ever present in Darren Aronofinski’s films. His latest, Caught Stealing, is no different as the central character: Hank Thompson (played by Austin Butler), becomes involuntarily entangled in a drug fuelled dispute which costs him everything. Set in the Lower East Side of 1998 New York, Hank, a bartender, seems like your average guy. Yet, he is loaded with past demons caused by a promising career as a baseball player being cut short by a drunk driving incident.
More pain and trauma ensues when Hank is brutally beaten up by two Russian mafia members, who he refuses entry to his shady neighbour’s house (played by Matt Smith sporting one of the most flamboyant Mohawks ever seen on screen) where the source of the conflict lies. Yvonne, played by Zoe Kravitz, is Hank’s girlfriend who seems to be the only one looking out for him in this violent and unforgiving world. As the story moves on, the situation becomes more futile as there seems to be no escape from the aggressive actions he faces from Russian and Jewish mafia figures who are convinced he is working for Russ.
The film is essentially about trying to get past our present addictions and destructive habits by facing our traumas. This is a common theme which is apparent in Aronofonsky’s previous films namely: ‘The Wrestler’ and ‘Requiem for a Dream’. Yet, Caught Stealing seems to have a lot more playfulness and humour than Aronofonsky’s past works. The main criticism would be that the premise does not sustain its intrigue due to an underuse of its supporting cast. The film definitely misses the sharpness that characterises much of Aronofonsky’s signature style. However, there is no doubt audiences will have fun with the wit, playfulness and Butler’s viscerally energetic performance.
Release Date: 29/08/2025
Genre: Crime Thriller
Cast: Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, Bad Bunny, Matt Smith
