Caught Stealing (2025) Film Review: Grimy urban crime thriller led by infectious Austin Butler charm

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Set during the late 1990s in New York City, burned-out ex-baseball player-turned-bartender, Henry 'Hank' Thompson, unexpectedly becomes involved with the dangerous criminal underbelly of the Lower East Side, leading to a chaotic spiral of events that becomes a battle for survival.

Caught Stealing (2025) is based on the book of the same name, with author Charlie Huston also writing the screenplay and Darren Aronofsky, known for often tackling dark, heavy subject matter such as drug abuse in Requiem for a Dream (2000) (check out my review here!) or obesity in The Whale (2022), in the director's chair.

Aronofsky's latest cinematic venture offers a welcome change of direction, moving towards a lighter, more comedic tone while also maintaining solid character drama at the heart of its story. Huston crafts a compelling screenplay with well-executed twists and turns littered throughout the narrative.

Austin Butler and Matt Smith form a fun duo whose eventual crazy hijinks result in lots of laughs

There is a great balance of believable, intimate, and tender moments between characters, such as Hank and his girlfriend, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), with an epic odyssey quality as our unlucky lead becomes entangled with the city's most notorious, nasty criminals.

The neo retro setting of 1990s New York is a very well-realised element of the film, showcasing immaculate attention to detail and nostalgic aesthetic, with a heavy emphasis on the punk rock look of the decade. The general visual quality of the location is gritty and grounded in reality, presenting dirty, worn-down architecture and a real sense of violence from the criminals who lurk in the area.

The whole production crew does an excellent job at making New York feel like a character in itself, with plenty of hustle and bustle, which truly makes the city feel lived in and alive.

Leading man Austin Butler proves his ability to carry a movie on his back, forming the central focal point of the plot, with every scene featuring him in some capacity. Hank Thompson is a very likable protagonist with relatable flaws, presented as your average, everyday city dweller, who possesses a good nature and easily endearing charm.

Butler effortlessly slips into the leading man role, bringing a likable charm and believable vulnerability to the film's protagonist

He becomes a bit of an underdog, as he unintentionally becomes part of a potentially deadly situation and is forced to rely on his quick wits and resilience to overcome these new challenges. It's hard not to like a guy who still prioritises calls with his mum and ensuring the safety of his neighbour's cat, even when his life is in danger!

Butler and Kravitz also showcase fantastic romantic chemistry, which greatly elevates the emotional stakes and involvement of the narrative. The dialogue is sharp and engaging from Yvonne, who remains a constant supporting presence for the down-on-his-luck Hank, who is pushed to make more of himself as a result of his girlfriend's affection and belief in his abilities.

All of the performances are solid, with an orange mohawked, cockney Matt Smith clearly having plenty of fun despite not occupying as much screentime as initially expected, and Regina King adding a thrilling edge with her role.

1990s New York City is presented in a grounded, tangible fashion, home to a variety of people, as well as a dangerous criminal underbelly operating behind the scenes

A couple of the notable drawbacks of the film are a slightly uneven tone and some pacing problems. Although there are some genuinely funny moments, with a mixture of dark humour and situational comedy, not every joke attempt lands and often clashes with the more serious, brutal acts of violence.

There is a certain familiarity to the plot beats and quirky characters; however, these issues are mostly overshadowed by Butler's charismatic performance and the vibrant direction of such a lively, recognisable location.

Despite some teething problems, Caught Stealing is a thoroughly entertaining ride offering pure popcorn fun for fans of crime thrillers. Propped up by a solid cast, a well-assembled screenplay, and an immersive setting, the movie has plenty to please casual cinemagoers and followers of Aronofsky's work.

Check out the trailer for Caught Stealing (2025), and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!