Caught Stealing Succeeds as Aronofsky’s First Dark Comedy

When I first saw the trailer for Darren Aronofsky’s newest film, Caught Stealing, I was a bit thrown off guard. See, Aronofsky is one of my favorite directors. I’ve seen every one of his films, minus the ending of The Whale. Each of his movies is exceedingly dark and depressing, albeit genius in their execution. But Caught Stealing seemed to differentiate itself from the pack. Was this a comedy from Aronofsky?

Regardless of the fact that the movie just looked “ok” to me, and I probably wouldn’t have seen it otherwise, I’m an Aronofsky devotee, so it immediately shot to the top of my watch list. I caught the movie last Thursday, and I left the theatre thoroughly impressed. This may not be Aronofsky’s best film, nor is it my favorite. It does, however, succeed as his first foray into the dark comedy and mystery/thriller genres. To put it in baseball terms, Aronofsky has made one fortunate wild swing.

Up at the Bat

It’s 1998. Henry “Hank” Thompson (Austin Butler) is a bartender living in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC. He’s in the beginning stages of a relationship with his girlfriend, Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), and he’s close with his mother, with whom he shares a love for the San Francisco Giants. Things seem to be going fairly well for Hank. That is, until his neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to watch his cat, Bud, while he goes to see his ailing father. Although Hank is reluctant to babysit the feline, Yvonne convinces him to do so.

One day on his return home, Hank receives a brutal beating from two Russian mobsters (Yuri Kolokolnikov & Nikita Kukushkin) who demand to know Russ’ whereabouts. With injuries so bad that he ruptured a kidney, Hank is hospitalized. While there, his mother gives him a call, and he refers to Yvonne as “just a friend,” much to her dismay.

A removed kidney later, Hank returns home, and Yvonne informs him that if he wants to continue their relationship, he’ll need to start growing up when things get real. However, even after Yvonne warns him that he needs to ditch alcohol once and for all, he continues to drink. That night, he discovers a key in Bud’s litterbox, a key that two other gangsters, Jewish brothers Lipa and Shmully Drucker (Liev Schreiber & Vincent D’Onofrio) are searching for. But when danger rears its head again, Hank just might be too drunk to recall where he put it…

The Bases Are Loaded

The mystery of what the key unlocks and how Hank comes to grips with his tendency to flee when things get real drives the narrative. Like Aronofsky’s previous films, events quickly turn dark. People die. Dreams shatter. The mood is decidedly intense. The film is based on the scriptwriter’s novel of the same name. I can see why Aronofsky was drawn to the material. This has the full makings of an Aronofsky flick, with all of Aronofsky’s favorite themes front and center (delusions, dreams, and the failings of ambition).

Stylistically, the film is less surreal than most of his entries. It films in a more realistic style, similar to The Wrestler. This is not Black Swan, Pi, or Requiem for a Dream. Everything that happens in the movie actually happens; there is no need for interpretation.

Character deaths do happen. There were a few that actually had my fellow movie goer and I shocked at their occurrence. The movie is fast-paced, with twists and turns occurring regularly, but it also knows how to slow down the pace for exposition and well-timed laughs.

Heavy Hitters

Much has been said about Austin Butler’s performance, and I agree with it all. Butler’s Hank is a troubled character with a tragic past, but he quickly and easily wins viewers’ sympathy. He’s likable, though flawed, and moviegoers will want to watch him triumph over the odds. As he learns to better himself and come into his own, he sells his steadfastness and everyman qualities.

Matt Smith’s Russ is the wildcard in the cast. He brings comedic energy to the role, and although he is involved in some criminal shenanigans, he still manages to come across as someone with an enjoyable screen presence.

Regina King plays Detective Elise Roman, a no-nonsense investigator who Hank calls to help him out of his bind. She shoots straight from the hip (or does she?) and brings some bad-ass energy.

Zoë Kravitz is the more reasonable partner in Hank’s relationship, and although she wants to bring comfort and support to him, she takes no bull. She’s both sweet and serious when she needs to be.

I must also give mention to a few of the bit players. The two Jewish mob members are cold-hearted, but they also bring with them many laughs that land successfully, even when the events surrounding those laughs are on the serious side. Hank’s bar boss, Paul (Griffin Dunne) gives a crazy turn as a bad-ass shotgun wielding manager who will do anything to protect his bar.

A Nice Day for a Ball Game

Additionally, Caught Stealing features several chase scenes, all of which are filmed with breakneck speed and confidence. When the action slows down and exposition is delivered, close-ups are used to convey the mood of the picture. There’s one specific scene that uses an upward-aiming shot as Butler hangs his head, successfully delivering a mood of hopelessness. That one left me impressed.

The movie’s flaws are few, but they’re still noticeable. Austin Butler carries the movie as Hank, so there are few other characters with complete or developed arcs. The movie, additionally, does not dig as deep into the thematic well as other Aronofsky films. The film straddles tones between dark comedy and some seriously tragic material, and in some ways, it takes a while to find its rhythm. But once it comes together, it does so splendidly.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Overall, Caught Stealing is an impressive entry in Darren Aronofsky’s oeuvre. While it doesn’t reach the heights of his more dramatic films, it still manages to carry heft and proves that Aronofsky has the directing skills to tackle comedy as well as his usual fare. With impressive performances from Butler, Kravitz, and the rest of the cast, this is a ball game you don’t want to miss.

Score: 8.5/10

Caught Stealing is now playing in theatres nationwide.

CAUGHT STEALING – Official Trailer (HD)

He was just supposed to watch the cat. Now he’s running for his f**king life. Austin Butler stars in Darren Aronofsky’s #CaughtStealingMovie – only in theatres August 29. Visit our site: https://caughtstealing.movie/ Follow Us on Social: https://x.com/StealingMovie https://www.facebook.com/CaughtStealingMovie https://www.tiktok.com/@caughtstealingmovie https://www.instagram.com/caughtstealingmovie Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/@sonypictures Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay.