“Caught Stealing” opens on the Lower East Side of Manhattan at four in the morning. Hank Thompson, played by Austin Butler, works as a hustling bartender, balancing sleepless nights and a heated relationship with his stereotypical New York City girlfriend, played by Zoë Kravitz. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film is engaging, fast-paced, graphic and devastatingly thought-provoking.
Hank struggles with PTSD induced nightmares due to a drunk-driving car crash from his senior year of high school. Hank’s promising future in his baseball career ended as he watched his best friend die on the hood of his car. But that was only the start of his troubles.
Hank’s British punk rock neighbor, played by Matt Smith, asks him to take care of his pet cat while he goes out of town. While pet-sitting, Hank gets caught in the middle of a life-or-death feud between the Russian Mafia, described as “similar to the Italian mob but scarier and with worse food,” a group of wanted Hassidic-Jewish gangsters called “The Hebrews” and an underground club owner, played by Bad Bunny. Through a series of shocking plot twists and thrilling fight scenes, the gangs put it all on the line for an “exotically huge amount of cash.”
When I saw Matt Smith decked out with frizzy, hair dye-fried liberty spikes and leather clothing, I had high hopes for the soundtrack to produce an equally punk rock quality, and it did not disappoint. The soundtrack included angsty music like “Walkin’ On The Sun” by Smash Mouth, “Sex & Candy” by Marcy Playground and “Cities On Flame with Rock and Roll” by Blue Öyster Cult. The authentic soundtrack contributed to the late ‘90s nostalgia, coupled with the intense, action-packed quality of the film.
“Caught Stealing” explores how trauma and identity intertwine, with the cat serving as a symbol for Hank’s broken spirit, haunted by his past and horrified for his future. Throughout the movie, Hank returns to the question: Is my cat a biter because he bit me? Am I a killer because I have killed? Through an enticing storyline involving Hank’s colliding internal and external conflicts, the film suggests that healing trauma is not about moving on from the past but about confronting the person it has made you.
Austin Butler’s acting is emotionally captivating and truly impactful. Some critics anticipated his role in the film would be out of place given his past acting in romantic comedies and family-friendly films. However, his portrayal of the role was realistic and reflects his transition to more mature roles. You can see Hank’s eyes grow uneasy as he witnesses more tragedies throughout the movie. His character development is realistic and disheartening. Hank goes from a small-town mama’s boy to a man on the run from New York’s most ruthless gangs, so heartless that not even the cat is safe from their torture.
The film is inspired by Charlie Huston’s novel and stays true to the book. The movie adapts a definitive ending, relating to Hank’s car crash and tying up loose ends, while the novel’s ending was more ambiguous. The writers’ decision to change the ending provided closure and a lasting impression. Additionally, some side characters received more attention than others. When it met the theaters, “Caught Stealing” was rightfully rated R due to violent content, profanity, sexual content and drug and alcohol use.
I found myself closing my eyes multiple times throughout watching the film, most notably during an excruciatingly long close-up of the Russian Mafia using pliers to rip staples out of Hank’s recent, incomplete kidney removal. While it is certainly a well-done film overall, it is not a movie I would be able to bring myself to rewatch due to its emotionally disturbing nature. The preview led me to believe it would be an offbeat action movie, but it was more of a violent crime thriller.
A viewer’s enjoyment of “Caught Stealing” will vary based on their interests. I would recommend “Caught Stealing” to fans of “Pulp Fiction” and “The Joker” franchise. It is important to note that this movie is not intended for the squeamish and easily distraught.
“Caught Stealing” is a well-crafted film that will leave a lasting impression on viewers. The exceptional acting, authentic soundtrack and fast-paced plot made it a worthwhile watch, though its disturbing nature makes the film something I wouldn’t want to experience again.