Caught Stealing

While I agree that mid-budget films have largely disappeared from cinemas and landed on streaming services, Caught Stealing bucked that trend in 2025 with its roughly $50 mission budget that was sent out cinemas. Unfortunately, it didn't make the biggest splash at the box office but I don't doubt this film's future will be on streaming services where it will find a bigger audience. So is it any good?

Adapted from Charlie Huston's 2005 novel of the same name, Caught Stealing is set in late 1990s New York and focuses on a young former-baseball player who, following a car crash that ruined his career, now has him working in a bar. He has a girlfriend who believes in him but he is still haunted by the events of his past and can't seem to turn things around. One day, his British punk rocker neighbour asks him to look after his cat while he's away but then some thugs come knocking at the neighbour's door causing things to turn very messy. 

Caught Stealing is a very entertaining crime thriller, with great performances from Austin Butler and the entire supporting cast. The story whips along at steady pace for just over 100 minutes with plenty of twists and turns, but I was surprised to see this was directed by Darren Aronofsky, who is not exactly known for making films like this. He is the man behind the depressing likes of Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler and Mother but instead we get a mix of drama, bloody action and violence, and some degrees of humour throughout. It's quite the step-away from his wheelhouse but he handles it all very well.

Fans of Aronofsky might find this a touch too lightweight and forgettable compared to his hard-hitting dramas but for everyone else, Caught Stealing is a very entertaining crime thriller which keeps its momentum running throughout until the closing credits. This is an easy one to recommend for a fun evening in.