Caught Stealing

Sneakly and unexpectedly one of the most entertaining films of the year. Good Time mixed with Pi and After Hours, with a touch of Guy Ritchie was a combination that crafted a film as interesting as all these other works mentioned. The script may be simple and lack certain depth, but the movie makes it up for it with personality. The atmosphere of 1990s New York is striking, and the cinematography was excellent, greatly utilizing color and the photographed spaces to create captivating settings. I really enjoyed the culture clash between the characters, who, due to their different nationalities and religions, have different personalities, methods, and approaches to dealing with the film's central situation, especially the dynamic between Hank, a small-town American, and Russ, a British punk. The dialogue is quite engaging.

Not his best, but a memorable entry in aronosfky's filmography.

Caught Stealing is a wild, almost slapstick crime thriller that feels like a Coen Brothers movie set in the gritty, pre-gentrification New York of the late '90s. I loved how the film captured the city's vibe, from the seedy bars to the run-down apartments.

Austin Butler does a great job grounding the chaos with his "wrong place, wrong time" character. But honestly, the standout for me was the cat, Bud. It's a hilarious and surprisingly important part of the story, and the animal acting is a highlight.

I went in expecting another dark psychological drama and came out thoroughly entertained by a fast-paced and witty caper.

'Caught Stealing' is a very watchable film - it's chaotic, stylish and full of energy from the very first scene. You can tell it's trying really hard to be something Guy Ritchie-esque with its quick pacing, eccentric characters and that mix of comedy and violence. Sometimes it works, but other times the plot just veers into nonsense. There are moments where you can feel the film straining to hold everything together, and not every beat lands the way it wants to.

That said, it's still a fun ride. The cast throw themselves into the madness, the cat is genuinely a scene-stealer, and there's enough style and momentum to keep you engaged even when the story wobbles. As long as you manage your expectations and don't go in expecting perfection, you'll probably find yourself entertained. Messy, yes - but very watchable.

I went into Caught Stealing with some hope, but came out disappointed. The plot was dreadful - bleak, depressing, and dragging to the point where I actually nodded off in the cinema (which is extremely rare for me). That alone says a lot about the pacing and engagement.

The ending didn't feel satisfying either; it wasn't even lazily wrapped up, just left hanging in a way that felt frustrating rather than thought-provoking.

On the positive side, Matt Smith delivered an excellent performance during his brief screen time - easily the highlight of the film. It's a shame he wasn't given more to do.

Overall, I can't recommend this one. Five stars is generous, purely because of Matt Smith and a few scattered moments, but the film as a whole felt like a slog.

I caught an advanced screening of Caught Stealing (2025) in theaters this evening. The storyline follows a California transplant living in New York who agrees to watch his neighbor's cat while the man is away caring for his sick father. Soon, a series of strangers begin showing up at his apartment, demanding to know his neighbor's whereabouts, and subjecting him to brutal beatings and torture in the process. What are they after-and can he find a way to help them before he, and everyone he knows, ends up dead?

This picture is directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) and stars Austin Butler (Elvis), Zoë Kravitz (The Batman), Matt Smith (House of the Dragon), Liev Schreiber (Scream), and Regina King (The Harder They Fall).

The story is clever and unpredictable, often feeling like a Guy Ritchie crime caper-but rooted deeply in a gritty, authentic New York setting. The cast delivers elite performances, and the plot is packed with sharp twists and turns. The cinematography and camera angles are equally impressive, enhancing the tension and style throughout.

The action is top-tier: abrupt fight scenes, thrilling car chases, sudden bursts of gore, and intense shootouts that all land with impact. Even the subplots, particularly those tied to the chases and crashes, are smartly executed. The ending is immensely satisfying, and the soundtrack is brilliant.

In conclusion, Caught Stealing isn't perfect, but it's an unpredictable and worthwhile rollercoaster of violence, intensity, and action. I'd score it a strong 7.5-8/10 and strongly recommend it.