Darren Aronofsky’s latest film will have viewer’s hearts racing, and not just during Austin Butler’s shirtless scenes.
“Caught Stealing,” released Aug. 29, follows a few turbulent days in the life of New York City bartender Hank Thompson, played by Butler of “Elvis” fame. After his neighbor Russ, played by Matt Smith, flies back home to London, Thompson finds himself caught in a struggle for survival at the hands of dangerous gangsters.
I was inspired to watch this movie for the stacked cast and 90s grunge aesthetic, unsure of how satisfactory the plot would be. After many twists and turns, fast-paced violence and a hard hitting message, I can say “Caught Stealing” wasn’t solely carried by its star studded lineup. (Although if it were, it would be carried by Russ’s adorable cat, Butt).
From “Black Swan” to “The Whale,” Aronofsky’s works have been dark, and his latest film is no exception.
Thompson’s dreams of becoming a pro baseball player were crushed after a car accident that caused devastating injury to his leg. More importantly, the crash resulted in the death of his friend, a tragedy Thompson never owned up to.
And due to the deadly drug scheme Thompson gets wrapped up in, he loses a few more loved ones throughout the film. Don’t get too attached to anyone.
Russ, Thompson’s British punk neighbor, has bad blood with various members of NYC’s criminal underbelly, and Thompson ultimately pays the price while cat-sitting for him. After two Russian gangsters show up at Russ’s door, they encounter unsuspecting Thompson and figure he must be on in the scheme.
Thompson soon becomes entangled with other criminals, from Jewish brothers, Lipa and Schmully, played by Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio, to Colorado, played by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny).
Russ and the Jewish brothers gave charm to an otherwise uncharming film and were the much needed comic reliefs. Smith, best known for “Doctor Who,” delivered a lively and colorful role as Thompson’s neighbor from across the pond, although you couldn’t make out half of what he said. Scheiber and D’Onofrio had fairly small roles despite their renown, but understood their assignments and rendered the most laughs. And Bad Bunny was simply scary and sexy.
Despite his efforts to abide by both the gangsters orders and those of Detective Roman, played by Regina King, Thompson struggles to maintain the safety of those around him. Haunted by his past, Thompson’s fear and guilt plague him throughout the film.
Though intense and bloody most of the time, Thompson’s love life was a warm and integral part of the film. Butler and Zoë Kravitz, who plays Thompson’s girlfriend Yvonne, had an undeniable and spicy chemistry from the get-go. Yvonne is important in reminding Thompson to face his fears head on and take control of his life.
The film concludes with a killer full circle moment, after an hour and a half of chaos and heartbreak. I wouldn’t say Thompson ever fully comes to terms with his grief or inner turmoil, but he finds peace in the end.
While the film was graphic and adrenaline-fueled, Thompson’s closeness with his mom, his new feline friend and his love for the San Francisco Giants made for a heartfelt and human story.
“Caught Stealing” had me on the edge of my seat, gasping, laughing and never knowing what to expect next. In a time of repetitive action films, Aronofsky’s newest movie was a fresh and thrilling take on crime cinema. And don’t worry, the cat survives.
Contact Isabel Kraby at ikraby@alligator.org. Follow her on X @isabelgkraby.
Isabel is a general assignment reporter for The Avenue and is starting her first semester with The Alligator. She is a junior journalism student and transferred to UF from Daytona State College after her freshman year. When she's not writing for Ave, she loves going to concerts, crocheting and designing spreads for Rowdy Magazine.
