Getting into the groove of watching this year’s action films? Try Caught Stealing, a thriller crime film with a lot of non-stop action. The flow and story development is much like the 2024 movie Anora that starts out with a creative beginning, then turns up the power for a rollercoaster ride that makes you want to grip the arms of your theater seat.
Finding himself trying to survive as a New York City bartender and living in a dangerous neighborhood, former major league baseball prospect Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) is struggling. His off and on girlfriend Yvonne (Zoe Kravitz) adds some loving support and Russ (Matt Smith) the strange neighbor next door, offers him some laughs. Russ has to leave town quickly one day and things start to spiral down when unhinged Russian mobsters show up looking for him. It’s the start of a wild world of smash, bash and slash as Hank thinks he’s helping Russ by defying the mob.
Putting together an explosive film, director Darren Aronofsky (The Whale, The Wrestler) shows the grit and bloody dark side of The Big Apple. While it’s a bit predictable, the dark comical thread makes it well worth the watch as Hank manages to get in and out of some very death defying situations. Aronofsky smartly holds back some very good twists as he weaves you through the 1990’s New York back alleys, bars and store fronts during a labyrinth of reckless chase scenes.
The film stars Austin Butler who I feel is an upcoming equal in talent to the age of a young Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, Liam Neeson or Mark Wahlberg. Okay, I know I just named the blood and guts of the film industry’s box office angels, but check out the guy who blew up the worldwide box-office dollars with the excellent motion picture Elvis in 2022 that added over 287 million. With Caught Stealing he should be able to recruit a very large action fan base; and, with the right roles much like this one, should keep building theater attendances.
Caught Stealing has been rated R by the MPAA for strong violent content, pervasive language, some sexuality/nudity and brief drug use. For the fan base of action and crime, it’s a must see.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoe Kravitz, Griffin Dunne
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Genre: Crime, Dark Comedy, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for strong violent content, pervasive language, some sexuality/nudity and brief drug use
Running Time: 1hr. 47 min.
Opening Date: August 28, 2025
Distributed by: Sony Pictures
Released in: Theaters
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
