'Caught Stealing': Austin Butler Knocks It Out of the Park in Comedic Crime Thriller

PHOTO: Sony Pictures

Darren Aronofsky has made a name for himself by making films that could be described as “cerebral” or “bummers”. When you hear his name, you have a good idea of the type of film you’re in for, as his films are quite dark and often leave audiences questioning what they just saw. So when it was announced that he would be directing a comedic crime thriller, I was thrown for a bit of a loop. Aronofsky making a caper? That’s a pretty big zag for him to make. But rather quickly into Caught Stealing, it becomes very apparent why Aronofsky signed on to direct it. It may be a fast-paced, often funny, crime movie, but there is also a darkness to it that is much more pronounced than I was expecting. Its deeper themes, of alcoholism, trauma, and guilt add an interesting texture, and gives the film some unexpected heft as well. Caught Stealing is largely a departure for Darren Aronofsky, but he still finds a way to let his sensibilities in, and ends up delivering his best film in years.

Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) is a former baseball player turned bartender. He lives a simple life in New York City, working late nights, getting drunk, and spending time with his girlfriend, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz). This all changes when his neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), asks him to watch his cat while he goes to London to visit his ailing father. Hank reluctantly agrees, but he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a group of dangerous criminals who come looking for Russ. As the film goes on, Hank tries to get out of the mess he’s in, and confronts his demons in the process.

Aronofsky is a director who I generally like, but I never feel like I’ve ever fully been on his wavelength. There are a couple of his films that have really worked for me, but the rest have had varying degrees of success. More often than not, his films have quite a bit that I appreciate, but also a fair amount of issues that keep me from fully gelling with them. I had a feeling this might happen with Caught Stealing, as I wasn’t sure how well he could balance the comedic and darker tones of the film or how well he’d handle the film’s violence. As it turns out, he does a great job on both fronts, making the more action-driven sequences extremely lively and expertly blending genres throughout. This ends up being one of the few films of Aronofsky’s that I really vibed with, and had me wondering why he didn’t do something like this sooner. 

Of course, a lot of kudos has to go to screenwriter Charlie Huston, who adapted the screenplay from his novel of the same name. Huston does a great job of crafting a tight, unpredictable narrative that had me completely invested from minute one. Twisty thrillers like this can be hard to pull off, but Huston is a true pro and takes us on a wild thrill ride through late 90s New York City. But it is the film’s darker moments that surprised me the most, as much of Hank’s story deals with his alcoholism and past trauma. It’s clear that Aronofsky really latched on to these details, as he emphasizes them more than most filmmakers probably would. The inclusion of Hank’s past is completely integral to the story, and both Huston and Aronofsky handle it with the appropriate weight. The film also takes a surprising turn nearly halfway through that could have easily been bungled, but it strengthens the film’s narrative arc and adds to Hank’s motivation to put the mess he’s in behind them. It is a shocking and heartbreaking note that may not have been fully necessary, but is still effective nonetheless.

Between this and Highest 2 Lowest, Matthew Libatique is two-for-two on well-shot crime thrillers set in New York. Libatique has collaborated with Aronofsky many times, and the two make a formidable pair. I may have my qualms with some of Aronofsky’s work, but one thing that remains consistently good across his filmography is the camera work. This continues with Caught Stealing, as Libatique pulls off some great shots all throughout the film. The absolute highlight is an extended wide shot that slowly zooms between some buildings as Austin Butler goes down a fire escape. Libatique also makes great use of close-ups throughout the film, giving a somewhat confined feel at times which matches Hank’s feelings of being trapped in situations he didn’t ask to be in. It could have been a bit stronger in some of the more violent moments of the film, but it still gets the job done regardless. 

Caught Stealing also acts as an incredible vehicle for Austin Butler, continuing to prove that he is a bonafide movie star. It is clear that Butler cares deeply about his craft and chooses his projects wisely. He values working with established directors and engages so fully with his characters, which in turn makes every role he takes on all the more special. Every performance I’ve seen him give over the past few years has astounded me, and his work as Hank in this film is among some of his best. The film acts as a showcase of his versatility, showing that he is a true jack of all trades. Not to mention he just has that presence only a select few actors have that make them absolutely magnetic. However, Hank Thompson is a more complex character than I would have guessed from the trailers, and Butler gets right to the heart of him. His performance allows him to reckon with the reality of the situation he’s in, as well as the weight of the guilt borne out of his past actions. There is a flawed nature to his character, and it is portrayed in a very human way by Butler. This, coupled with his natural charm helps you see Hank as more than just some guy thrown into a wild situation. He feels a bit more real than one might think, and you can’t help but feel for him at various moments in the film. Butler is an absolute star, and he knocks this role out of the park.

The film is populated with a cast of unusual characters, all of whom are played quite well. Regina King proves once again that she doesn’t miss, taking on the role of Detective Elise Roman. Much like Butler, she has that distinct presence that draws you to her, and it is on full display here. In fact, some of her best moments are opposite Butler, as the two bring such palpable energy and focus to their performances that they make magic together. I also really enjoyed Matt Smith, who I have never really seen in a role like this. I am more used to his work in Doctor Who and House of the Dragon, so seeing him as a foul-mouthed London punk was a bit jarring. However, the role ends up fitting him like a glove, as he nails the fast-talking, reactive nature of the character of Russ, and he got a few laughs out of me as well. I am once again pretty amused by Benito Martinez Ocasio, a.k.a. Bad Bunny, as he takes a rather small role and makes it pop. He is pretty good when it comes to comedic acting, and I hope that he will continue to take on more projects that highlight this gift. Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio have a cooler nature that plays really well in the context of the film. They definitely feel more grounded compared to the other criminals that Hank encounters, but that only makes them feel more interesting. And of course, I have to mention Carol Kane, who isn’t in all that much of the film, but offers somewhat of a respite from the film’s violence and thrills. She has a gentleness to her performance that spoke to me, and has a moment with Butler that I found rather poignant. 

Caught Stealing isn’t what one would expect from Darren Aronofsky, but I think that’s a good thing. It shows that he is capable of more than just his usual, but is still able to find places to include some of what he’s known for. Maybe the film just strikes a balance of things that worked for me, but I had an absolute blast with it. It is exciting, funny, and a darker edge than I was expecting, but it all comes together so well. I wouldn’t call this Aronofsky’s finest work or anything, but it is a nice little detour for him that worked far more for me than a few of his other films. Those who prefer the morbid, more intellectual side of Aronofsky will probably not have as good of a time with this, but those who are skeptical may end up really digging it.

Rating: 4.5/5