Caught Stealing

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Hank (Austin Butler), a former baseball prodigy trying to sort out his life, heads home after his shift at the bar, with girlfriend Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz). When he gets home he finds neighbour Russ(Matt Smith) leaving him a note, asking him to take care of his cat while he flies home to England to see his ill father. What he doesn’t realise is Russ is also leaving him in a host of trouble, he finds out when he meets some russian mobsters. It’s a meeting that takes Hank’s life spinning out of control that puts him and those closest to him in huge danger.

Caught Stealing is an entertaining crime caper. It may not be highly original, but it’s delivered with style, packed with excellent performances and with a few more surprises than you may expect. At the heart of it is a story about how reckless behaviour impacts those around you and the price you pay for not facing the impact of those choices.

Austin Butler is excellent in the leading role, giving you a character to care for in portraying a slightly broken but good guy who finds himself in a world that he’s not equipped to deal with. Matt Smith, Zoe Kravitz and Regina King all add to the story with strong support, as does the broader supporting cast.

The story speeds along as it twists and turns from one seemingly impossible situation to another and Aronofsky brings plenty of cringe inducing blood, guts and death, alongside its sharp dialogue and twists and turns.

It’s a blast of a film that leaves you on the edge of your seat with Hank hanging on as he tries to find a way out and face his demons.

Caught Stealing is a smart, high paced caper film, which leaves you hanging on as it careers through New York’s seedy underbelly. Austin Butler is excellent and is  well supported. It’s a film that deals with the impact of not tackling your demons. It’s got smart dialogue, a story that keeps you on your toes, delivered with Aronofsky’s style. A blast of a film that keeps you invested from start to finish.