‘Caught Stealing’ Review: Austin Butler Lifts Darren Aronofsky’s Low-Stakes Crime Thriller

NEW YORK CITY, New York — In a surprising turn for director Darren Aronofsky, the 1998-set thriller Caught Stealing plays more like a fast-paced crime romp than the emotionally punishing dramas he’s best known for. Anchored by Austin Butler’s lead performance, the film is a gritty chase through late-90s New York, complete with shady neighbors, violent encounters, and one unlucky cat.

A Lighter Aronofsky, With a Dark Edge

Best known for heavy-hitting films like Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan, Aronofsky lightens his touch with Caught Stealing. The film follows Henry Thompson (Austin Butler), a former baseball player turned bartender, whose life unravels when he’s drawn into a dangerous scheme while cat-sitting for his neighbor, Russ (played by Matt Smith).

While the movie still carries Aronofsky’s signature grimy aesthetic — with gritty New York backdrops, sudden bursts of violence, and morally compromised characters — it’s propelled by a more playful, almost pulpy sense of momentum.

Austin Butler in the Spotlight

Butler proves to be the film’s strongest asset. His portrayal of Henry, a baseball hopeful turned alcoholic drifter, balances vulnerability and charisma. Henry’s relationship with Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz) gives the story emotional grounding, but his entanglement with a stolen key and the dangerous figures chasing it drive the narrative into a nonstop chase across the city.

The story may be low-stakes compared to Aronofsky’s past projects, but Butler’s performance gives it weight. His energy carries scenes that otherwise might feel disposable in a typical summer thriller.

A Fast-Paced New York Crime Ride

Based on Charlie Huston’s novel, the screenplay mixes noir intrigue with chaotic action. Drone shots sweep through iconic locations like the Unisphere in Queens, adding flair to the constant chase sequences. With expendable characters and unpredictable twists, the film maintains a sense of danger while celebrating Aronofsky’s gritty vision of New York — alive, grimy, and menacing.

At just 107 minutes, Caught Stealing keeps its pace brisk, offering a crime story that entertains more than it devastates. Rated R for violence, language, and brief nudity, it feels tailor-made as a late-summer action release.

Caught Stealing may not deliver the heavy existential punch audiences expect from Aronofsky, but it succeeds as a gritty, stylish ride carried by Butler’s magnetic performance.

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