Caught Stealing Review: Austin Butler Shines in Gritty, Uneven Thriller

Austin Butler leads Darren Aronofsky’s darkly funny crime thriller, backed by a star-studded cast and one scene-stealing cat.

Darren Aronofsky’s “Caught Stealing” is a gritty, thrilling ride that manages to be both darkly humorous and unexpectedly bizarre. Anchored by another standout turn from Austin Butler, the film boasts a spectacular ensemble cast and a few genuine surprises along the way. Yet, despite its ambition and strong performances, the film suffers from uneven pacing and struggles to immerse audiences in its late-1990s setting fully.

Plot Overview

Set in 1998 New York, the story follows Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), a former high school baseball phenom whose life has slowed into a modest routine. He has a loving girlfriend (Zoë Kravitz), a steady bartending job, and his favorite team making an underdog run at the pennant. Things unravel when his eccentric neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), asks him to cat-sit. That simple favor drags Hank into a whirlwind of gangsters, violence, and betrayal, forcing him to scramble for survival while uncovering why he’s become a target.

Standout Performances

Butler once again proves himself a magnetic screen presence, effortlessly carrying the chaos of the film. Kravitz adds a welcome spark, and Smith brings quirky, unpredictable energy to the mix—he’s one of those actors who elevates any project, and here is no exception.

Perhaps the most surprising performance comes from Bad Bunny (credited as Benito Martínez Ocasio), who once again showcases his acting ability with confidence and charm. Meanwhile, the Jewish dynamic between Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio provides some of the film’s most entertaining and authentic exchanges.

On the flip side, Regina King, a powerhouse talent, feels surprisingly underutilized. Her performance never quite clicks, coming across as if she were phoning it in, which is a rare miss.

And yes—the Tonic the cat might actually be the real MVP, stealing scenes and giving the movie some of its sharpest moments of levity.

Setting and Style

While the film is set in 1998, the execution doesn’t convincingly transport viewers back in time. Aside from a few subtle nods to ’90s culture, the story could easily be mistaken for a modern-day tale. This lack of period immersion slightly undercuts the overall atmosphere, especially for audiences who were hoping for a stronger nostalgic punch.

Pacing and Tone

At just under two hours (1h 47m), the movie feels longer than it should. A slow start, odd pacing, and a stretched-out third act make it feel like it drags, despite its relatively standard runtime. The tonal shifts, too, are jarring. What begins as a gritty thriller veers into dark comedy midway through. While the humor lands more often than not, the transitions can be disorienting for viewers who went in expecting a consistent mood.

Verdict

I give Caught Stealing 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is a strange but entertaining mix of grit, absurdity, and standout performances. While its pacing and uneven tone hold it back from reaching its full potential, the film still delivers enough chaos and character work to be worth the ride.

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