Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing follows Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), a washed-up baseball player turned reluctant bartender. His life takes a sharp turn when he’s asked to look after his neighbour’s pet. Convinced by his girlfriend, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), Hank reluctantly cat-sits as his neighbour, Russ (Matt Smith), deals with a 'family emergency' in London. When two Russian mobsters (Yuri Kolokolnikov, Nikita Kukushkin) show up looking for Russ, Hank is thrown headfirst into the criminal world of 1990s New York, facing down dirty cops, mob bosses and deep-seated corruption.
With renowned director Aronofsky at the helm and Charlie Huston adapting his own novel, expectations were set high since news of the production hit the industry papers. The ensemble cast features heavyweights Regina King, Laura Dern, Tenoch Huerta, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Carol Kane, and Bad Bunny. While Kravitz, Butler and Smith dominate the screen time, some of the most memorable on screen moments are delivered by Schreiber, D’Onofrio and Bad Bunny. Aronofsky’s strong reputation as a filmmaker is very much confirmed by the impressive list of Oscar winners, character actors, musicians and international talent on the bill.
Leaning heavily into its countercultural backdrop, the setting is a love letter to alternative movements of the late 80s and 90s. Production designer Mark Friedman deserves recognition for wonderfully capturing the 90s grunge aesthetic in its fashion and music choices. Kurt Cobain haircuts, anti-establishment stickers and Meredith Brooks needle drops all contribute to this meticulously crafted world.
Caught Stealing marks Darren Aronofsky’s first notable foray into the comedy genre, a bold move from a filmmaker better known for psychological intensity. His track record includes earnest character studies and sprawling cerebral dramas; Aronofsky is at his best in Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler and Black Swan, where he revels in all things uncomfortable. Caught Stealing is separate from Aronofsky’s earlier grit, and a long distance from his more recent and more divisive projects like Mother! and The Whale. The upbeat tone and more traditional narrative will certainly be more accessible to a mainstream audience.
Blending crime, action and humour, Caught Stealing reaches for the anarchic energy of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and the offbeat charm of The Long Goodbye (and even pays homage to the latter’s iconic cat scene). The plot takes an unassuming protagonist who stumbles deeper into trouble with every step. However, instead of taking itself too seriously, the film weaves together dark comedy and neo-noir stylings to create a rather chaotic take on the crime genre. Butler’s charisma helps to carry the story and, while it’s certainly elevated above most of its caper-led contemporaries, the iconic benchmarks of the previously mentioned titles aren't quite reached.
The most memorable set pieces are by far the most violent. Hank is the classic straight man and takes his beatings believably, truly battered by the film’s end. Nikita Kukushkin, in his English-language debut, makes the biggest impact. His doglike pursuit of Hank includes a brutal head butt on all fours. The visceral pliers-torture sequence lingers long after the credits roll.
The energy here is undeniable. When King, Schreiber and D’Onofrio dominate the screen, and Kukushkin unleashes violence, and when the soundtrack syncs with all this wonderful anarchy, the film shines. It’s a shame that Caught Stealing often ends up caught in its own contradictions. The action suffers from being too slick to be gritty and too uneven to be truly funny. Still, the playful plot, strong performances and immersive sense of place are enough to enjoy. Even if the ingredients don’t quite blend together, Aronofsky's cinematic venture is at least full of flavour.
In cinemas from 29th August 2025.
