The Wasteland Reviewer

Caught Stealing (2025) Written Review

Wait…Darren Aronofsky directed a dark-comedy, crime-thriller? This seems so strange for the filmmaker who created The Fountain, Noah, and Mother! while also crafting harrowing and unnerving stories of self-destruction like The Wrestler, Black Swan, and The Whale. But apparently Aronofsky does have it up his sleeve to deliver some mainstream accessible affair like Caught Stealing. But don’t underestimate the craft and the number of surprises that Aronofsky can inject into a film. Caught Stealing is not dark and harrowing (but it has its moments) it is not uncomfortably introspective all the time. There are some entertaining elements in some of Aronofsky’s previous work yet Caught Stealing is a fun, bloody, and exciting thrill ride. 

Do we still see that specific directorial voice from Aronofsky this time around? For a film that is a darkly funny crime thriller, Aronofsky still finds places to push the audience. This is a filmmaker who is never known to pull punches, and he does not this time around either. There are some disturbing body mutilations, plenty of blood, and other bodily functions that are clearly displayed unabashedly. Aronofsky just adds that unnerving other layer that most filmmakers would be hesitant to go to. Long time collaborators Matthew Libatique and Aronofsky also deliver some compelling and dynamic camera work along the way including an awesome zoom through a roof level alley while Austin Butler climbs on the fire escapes. There are plenty of dynamic filmmaking choices that just draw you in and challenge you in others (there are some uncomfortably intimate shots throughout the film). There is propulsive energy around the film and the expertly chosen and executed needle drops just pull the whole film together personality wisely. Even when the narrative gets caught in the weeds, the pacing of the film never lets up. 

How does Charlie Huston’s screenplay come to life on screen? This is a fun and clever thriller that has plenty of surprising dimensions to it. At the core of the film, you have a protagonist who has layers. Butler’s Hank Thompson is a former baseball star whose fateful car accident in his past has shaped his life in the film. The unnerving flashbacks to this event add anxiety, fear, and heartache to our protagonist (and challenges the audience with some visceral violence as well). Baseball is an interesting motif throughout the film as it connects Hank to his mother, looms over his life, and his Giants are in a playoff race during the events of the film (back in 1998). The loss of his dream has led to his alcoholism which he is forced to shake in the film (due to some brutal violence levied on him). The way the film navigates his struggles adds even more dimensions to his character. But the central conflict is about a bunch of money and a whole bunch of bad people wanting it. Hank is dragged in by his aloof criminal neighbor (Matt Smith) and leads to a series of escalating twists, turns, and heartbreak. Huston’s narrative gets a little muddled in the second to third act transition, but the twists and turns excite and the themes about identity give this wild ride some depth. 

What is the runaway highlight of this crime flick? There are plenty of standout performances in this film. Butler is excellent as he balances charm with sexually alluring energy and the deeply traumatic moments that Hank must face over the course of the film (whether due to his traumatic past or the heartbreaking events of the film). Zoe Kravitz is electric and alluring as well. The chemistry between these two beautiful and sexy people is off-the-charts (leading to a fiery sequence between them earlier in the film). Kravitz’ Yvonne just might be the emotional heart of the film (along with Hank’s mother, who only shows up on screen in a minimal manner). Regina King is probably the forgotten supporting piece of the film as she does not get highlighted in marketing despite being one of the most compelling and interesting elements of the film. One of the goons almost steals the whole film with his wild dialogue and energy (kudos to Nikita Kukushkin). Matt Smith is slimy and a coward who delivers plenty of fantastic laughs in his limited screen time. Bad Bunny has some nice moments of charm and charisma as well. The dynamic duo of Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio are excellent as the Hebrews with their violent tendencies but interesting layers of honor and quirky nature. There are a few fun minor turns as well from veterans like Carol Kane and Griffin Dunne (who feels like a wonderful nod to Scorsese’s After Hours which has much of the same type of energy). 

Is Caught Stealing a fresh crime-thriller worth your time? Kudos to Aronofsky for delivering a film that truly does stand out in the overly saturated market of such films. The script is sharp with tons of twists and turns (this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat) and plenty of earnest humor stemming from the characters. Butler elevates the film with such a powerful performance (bolstered but a grand ensemble of standout supporting turns). Let the blood and laughs throw, buckle up, and survive this wild ride.