Director Darren Aronofsky’s newest film, “Caught Stealing,” perfectly captures the essence of a crime thriller, yet it’s the bloody twists that really throw you for a loop.
Based on the crime novel by Charlie Huston, which takes place in the 2000s, the film is set in September 1998. It uses the setting of New York in the 90s to fit into Aronofsky’s style of direction and use that setting as a backdrop to highlight the themes of trauma, guilt, and emotional healing.
Austin Butler leads the film, bringing his absolute A-Game to his performance as Hank, a former talented high-school baseball player whose dreams of going pro were shattered by an injury. With that trauma in his mind, he now aimlessly bartends in the Lower East Side of New York while being the world’s biggest San Francisco Giants fan, the only one possibly rivaling him is his mother, who is only heard on the phone throughout the film until the end of the movie.
Alongside Butler, the film star Zoe Kravitz, Hank’s paramedic girlfriend, Yvonne, uses her skills when Hank is attacked and needs aid. Her role is somewhat smaller than expected for an actress with her talent, but it serves a purpose in the film. Hank’s neighbor, British punk rock guy Russ (played by Matt Smith), looks unrecognizable in a punk mohawk, and leaves town after a family emergency. The real trouble starts when Hank reluctantly agrees to watch Russ’s cat, Bud. It is then that we realize that Russ is in some deep trouble with some terrifying Russian gangsters who believe Russ stole from them, yet they are in their own mess with some Hasidic gangsters (Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio).
With a stellar supporting cast, Regina King plays the detective Hank calls for help after a run-in with the Russian gang led by Bad Bunny (Benito Martinez Ocasio) and his henchmen. This catastrophe leads to violent beatings and murders as Hank tries to make sense of the situation that is unfolding around him, and with Russ’s return, the story starts to twist even more.
Austin Butler captivated the audience with one of the best performances of his career, as he brought this character to life, showing Hank’s sacrifices and his being pushed to the physical and mental limits as the situation escalates around him. Butler’s wide-eyed charm not only evokes sympathy in viewers but also allows them to enjoy watching his character gain a sense of purpose, overcome his trauma, and confront his guilt.
This film is an exciting watch that captivates the viewer when least expected, while visually synchronistic with other Aronofsky films like “Requiem for a Dream,” “Black Swan” and “The Wrestler,” it stands out in his body of work, as he’s able to make even the darkest atmosphere seem vibrant in this film. This has been one of my most exciting and thrilling watches of the year, and hopefully, Aronofsky can work with Austin Butler again for another exciting adventure.
