“Caught Stealing” is an effective film. Not some trendy basic we should be hyperbolic about; only a good film. In one other time, which may have felt barely much less particular than it does proper now. In 2025, we’re nonetheless on this cycle the place virtually every part needs to be a franchise, or it will get dumped to streaming the place it would disappear into the abyss.
In that approach, a film aimed toward adults with a effective solid from an incredible director, feels extra particular than it used to. This type of factor did not was once uncommon, it was the norm. However now it is uncommon and, consequently, Darren Aronofsky’s newest feels particular, even when it isn’t some type of enduring masterwork like “Requiem for a Dream” or any of the director’s different heralded movies. Moderately, he is teamed with Austin Butler and author Charlie Huston to ship a rattling good time on the films, plain and easy.
The movie facilities on Hank Thompson (Butler), a former high-school baseball phenom who cannot play anymore, now working as a bartender in New York Metropolis, having fun with his new relationship with Yvonne (Zoe Kravitz). When his punk-rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to handle his cat for a couple of days, Hank inadvertently finds himself caught in the midst of a number of completely different teams of gangsters. Hank’s easy life then devolves into chaos as he is mixing it up with criminals and making an attempt to maintain himself out of jail.
“Caught Stealing” is predicated on the guide of the identical title by Huston. He was clearly the proper particular person to adapt his guide to the display, because the story would not waste one’s time. The characters are simple to like (or hate), it is well-paced, and it is participating from the bounce. It is also remarkably easy.
Darren Aronofsky faucets into his inside Man Ritchie
That is to not say there aren’t twists and turns alongside the best way — this can be a crime caper in any case. It is simply that the film Sony marketed to us by way of the trailers is exactly the film that has been delivered. Do you need to see Austin Butler operating by way of New York Metropolis whereas making an attempt to flee some unhealthy stuff? Do you need to see nice actors getting the prospect to shine in offbeat roles? That is what you may get. We get so accustomed to misleading or intelligent advertising and marketing that one thing this easy is nearly jarring. There are not any gimmicks right here. It is a enjoyable, extremely worrying, and at occasions very horny crime flick.
These accustomed to Aronofsky’s work have a sure expectation. Be it the enduring depth of “Black Swan” or the daring madness of “Mom!” there may be usually a seriousness to his films. He isn’t precisely a purveyor of popcorn cinema. Coming off of the Oscar-winning “The Whale,” Aronofsky determined to do one thing very completely different and present us a facet of him we have by no means seen earlier than. This facet of him is enjoyable. It is energetic. It is extremely entertaining.
If his title weren’t on the poster, one can be hard-pressed to peg “Caught Stealing” as an Aronofsky joint. It is a reminder that we include multitudes and Aronofsky, creatively, isn’t any exception. This feels nearer to early Man Ritchie movies like “Snatch” greater than it does any of Aronofsky’s earlier works. It is type of outstanding to see a man this late into his profession flexing such a distinct muscle so confidently.
To not make it look like there is not drama within the film as a result of there completely is. Hank goes by way of it and since the viewers involves care about him, his struggles hit house. However despite the fact that there’s a wholesome dose of dramatic pressure, this looks like Aronofsky having enjoyable for as soon as. No person would accuse “The Wrestler” of being enjoyable. This film is plenty of issues, and enjoyable is one among them.
Austin Butler leads a pitch-perfect ensemble solid in Caught Stealing
A film like this does not have plenty of fancy particular results to cover behind. It lives and dies by the characters. Aronofsky managed to assemble a ridiculously nice ensemble that carries the film, led by Butler, the man who went all-in for “Elvis”; an actor who goes further laborious and excessive when the scenario requires it. In “Caught Stealing,” Butler commits to the position of Hank admirably, completely embodying an everyday man who has some outstanding issues occur to him. It brings him right down to Earth a bit in a really charming, at occasions tragic approach. There’s a film star high quality to Butler and it is virtually unattainable to think about anybody else on this position. However “Caught Stealing” is really is an ensemble piece and the entire chess items on the board are organized magnificently.
Zoe Kravitz continues to say herself as an attention grabbing scene stealer, who performs completely off of Hank’s stubbornness. As a pair, they sing. Vincent D’Onofrio and Liev Schreiber are significantly entertaining because the Jewish gangsters Shmully and Lipa — it is laborious to recall these two actors ever having extra enjoyable on display. One of many main surprises is music famous person Dangerous Bunny because the robust man Colorado who’s an absolute blast to look at. It isn’t stunt casting. To not point out Matt Smith, who many people know from “Physician Who,” going full drug dealing punk rocker in an against-type flip that’s most welcome.
For as a lot good as there may be in “Caught Stealing,” there’s by no means that second the place it by some means rises from good to nice — however hey, that is okay. It is simply good and stays good till the credit roll, which is greater than sufficient. Not each new film must be an occasion. Generally, you simply need to watch a good-looking man attempt to get out of bother whereas taking good care of an ornery, fluffy cat. We might use extra trendy films like “Caught Stealing.”
/Movie Score: 7.5 out of 10
“Caught Stealing” hits theaters on August 29, 2025.
