Caught Stealing review: Austin Butler and Matt Smith’s thrilling crime yarn is a riot

Living nearby his charming neighbor Yvonne, portrayed by Zoë Kravitz, Hank – a simple town resident – resides in an unkempt apartment next to Russ, a British ex-pat with a punk attitude and a distinctive yellow Mohawk, who just so happens to be a drug dealer. The outspoken Russ requests that Hank care for his cat while he urgently departs for London due to his father’s illness. However, this act of goodwill quickly turns sour when two Russian tough guys storm Russ’s place and brutally attack Hank in the hallway, causing him to suffer a ruptured kidney.

Over the following days, Hank experiences numerous brutal confrontations due to Russ’s criminal actions escalating to his very doorstep. With a tough-as-nails police officer named Ramon (played by Regina King) investigating and the Russians’ associate Colorado, a Spanish-speaking individual known as Bad Bunny, also getting involved, even two Orthodox Jewish men (Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio) are searching for Russ. Ramon refers to these individuals as “monsters” because they will go to any lengths to recover what they lost from Russ.

The story that unfolds is filled with one misfortune after another for Hank, as everything he encounters seems to take a turn for the worst rather than prospering like gold. He finds himself in a predicament where he appears to be the main suspect. Aronofsky doesn’t hesitate to include violence throughout the narrative, but it is portrayed as necessary and intense (particularly when Hank has two staples from his kidney surgery ripped out). Despite his mistakes, such as drinking alcohol despite being told not to after losing an organ, you can’t help but sympathize with him.

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The movie Caught Stealing exudes an authentic, gritty atmosphere, thanks in part to its energetic soundtrack by British post-punk band Idles. Director Darren Aronofsky and his crew expertly portray the rundown, pre-Millennium ambiance of the location, while incorporating notable cultural landmarks such as Kim’s Video – a music and video store that significantly influenced many film enthusiasts during its time, and has even been the subject of a 2023 documentary.

Exceptionally well played – even Carol Kane’s portrayal of a wise Jewish matriarch who wisely advises Hank that “If you can’t bite, don’t show your teeth” adds to the film’s quality. Following his Oscar-nominated performance in Elvis, Butler has excelled at securing noteworthy character roles such as his maniacal warrior in Dune: Part Two. However, this Everyman lead role is one he seizes with conviction and carries throughout. Laced with humor (look for the Margaret Thatcher bobblehead on Russ’s car), this compelling crime-often-pays tale will keep viewers engrossed until the very end. And let me tell you, cat enthusiasts will undoubtedly leave the movie purring in satisfaction.