CAUGHT STEALING

From Sony Pictures

Overview

Release Date: August 29th, 2025

Genre: Crime Caper

Availability: Currently playing in theaters nationwide

Synopsis

Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay. He’s got a great girl (Zoë Kravitz), tends bar at a New York dive, and his favorite team is making an underdog run at the pennant.

When his punk-rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out…

Caught Stealing is directed by Academy Award® nominee Darren Aronofsky, screenplay by Charlie Huston, based on his book of the same name. The film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Benito Martínez Ocasio, Griffin Dunne, and Carol Kane.

Accolades for CAUGHT STEALING

Caught Stealing is now Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes!

Praise for CAUGHT STEALING in theaters

• Austin Butler's star performance: Many reviewers highlight Butler's ability to command the screen as the lead, Hank, a washed-up baseball player caught in a criminal underworld. Critics note that the role solidifies his leading-man status, proving he can carry a film without gimmicks.
• Aronofsky's new direction: After the dramatic and heavy themes of his past work (Black Swan, The Whale), many appreciate Aronofsky's diversion into a more accessible, action-oriented crime thriller. Some describe the film as "a dark soap bubble of an entertainment," showcasing his versatility.
• Vibrant 1998 New York setting: The film is commended for its nostalgic and gritty portrayal of the pre-gentrification Lower East Side. The atmosphere, visuals, and use of 90s details like period-specific music and technology contribute to the movie's throwback appeal.
• Dark humor and action: The movie is described as a "wild and brutal ride" with intense, propulsive action sequences punctuated by bursts of dark humor. Several moments, such as encounters with a Hasidic gangster grandmother and frantic chase scenes, are highlighted as particularly entertaining.
• Supporting cast: The strong supporting performances from a stacked cast, including Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Regina King, are often praised for injecting verve into the story. The cat Bud, whom Hank is tasked with looking after, is frequently called a scene-stealer.

Praise for Caught Stealing’s home entertainment release

1. Austin Butler’s star power carries the movie

Fans and critics alike continue to highlight Austin Butler as the film’s biggest draw — calling his performance “magnetic,” “dangerous but charming,” and “proof he can command the screen in any genre.” His portrayal reportedly gains even more appreciation on rewatch at home, where viewers can pick up on subtle character beats that might’ve been overshadowed in theaters.

2. A fun, pulpy New York crime story

Audiences are enjoying the movie’s unapologetically gritty energy — describing it as “a stylish throwback to 1990s crime thrillers” and “a wild, violent, but oddly charming ride.” The home release has reignited conversation around its mix of noir, dark humor, and adrenaline, with some even calling it Aronofsky’s most entertaining film in years.

3. The ensemble chemistry pops on repeat viewing

Viewers are noticing more interplay among the cast — especially between Butler, Matt Smith, Zoë Kravitz, and Regina King — when rewatching at home. Many comment that the pacing and character dynamics feel tighter the second time around, making the movie unexpectedly rewatchable.

4. Distinctive Aronofsky style, but more accessible

Fans who found some of Darren Aronofsky’s earlier work too abstract appreciate that Caught Stealing blends his intensity with a more approachable, genre-driven story. People describe it as “Aronofsky unchained but fun,” “a crime movie with bite and flair,” and “his most audience-friendly project yet.”

5. Rewatch value through atmosphere and tone

Now that it’s available for home viewing, audiences are rediscovering the film’s atmosphere — the saturated lighting, sweaty tension, and grimy period details that make it feel lived-in and immersive. The overall sentiment: Caught Stealing is a movie that “gets better the more you live with it.”

Quotes from social media about Caught Stealing

“Austin Butler owns this movie.”

• “Austin Butler’s the kind of bad guy you can’t look away from.”
• “He’s dangerous, magnetic, and ridiculously cool — this is his movie.”
• “Caught Stealing proves Butler can do anything.”

“A gritty, wild New York crime thrill ride.”

• “This isn’t your dad’s crime movie — it’s chaos with style.”
• “1990s NYC has never looked this slick or this dangerous.”
• “It’s violent, fast, and weirdly fun. Total adrenaline rush.”

“The cast chemistry goes off.”

• “Butler, Kravitz, Smith, King — everyone came to play.”
• “The cast chemistry is next-level. Every scene crackles.”
• “That final act? Wild. That ensemble? Even wilder.”

“Aronofsky, but make it fun.”

• “Dark, stylish, and surprisingly funny — this is Aronofsky in full control.”
• “Aronofsky finally let loose, and it’s a blast.”
• “If Requiem and Snatch had a love child — this is it.”

“The more you watch, the better it gets.”

• “Caught Stealing hits harder on rewatch.”
• “You’ll catch new details every time — it’s built for repeat viewing.”
• “The tone, the grit, the chaos — it sticks with you.”

Credits

• Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
• Screenplay by: Charlie Huston
• Based on the book by: Charlie Huston
• Produced by: Jeremy Dawson, Dylan Golden, Ari Handel, Darren Aronofsky
• Executive Producers: Ann Ruark, Charlie Huston, Tarak Ben Ammar, Mohannad Malas

Cast

• Austin Butler as Hank Thompson
• Regina King as Detective Elise Roman
• Zoë Kravitz as Yvonne
• Matt Smith as Russ Binder
• Liev Schreiber as Lipa Drucker
• Vincent D'Onofrio as Shmully Drucker
• Benito Martínez Ocasio as Colorado
• Griffin Dunne as Paul
• Carol Kane as Bubbe