Brought to us by Darren Aronofsky and starring Austin Butler, Caught Stealing is a crime thriller that is a ton of fun. If you saw the trailer for this and thought that it looked like a good time, chances are you will enjoy this movie. This is a trailer that does not give away the whole movie, but I do think the trailer does a fantastic job of letting you know exactly what kind of movie you are in for.
Where to Watch Caught Stealing
Caught Stealing was released on August 29, 2025. You can stream the film from a digital platform.
The Movie Review
Austin Butler Delivers a Strong Performance
I am a big fan of Austin Butler. I think that he is a tremendous actor, and I always get a kick out of seeing him in a leading role. Despite all the great roles Austin Butler has done, I always first see him as one of the League of Assassins from Arrow. He has some super fun action scenes, he is funny, he is charming, and his character of Hank Thompson is just very likable.
A Compelling and Relatable Protagonist
Hank is a guy who is kind of down on his luck. Hank had dreams of being a pro baseball player, but a bad car accident took those dreams away, took the life of his friend, and left him with an alcohol problem. Despite this, the movie shows that Hank has a good heart and that he is a guy you can root for.
Matt Smith Steals Scenes as Russ
Hank has a rather strange and eccentric neighbor called Russ, who is from England. Russ asks Hank if he can look after his cat while he goes to the UK, and Hank agrees. Russ is played by Matt Smith, the same Matt Smith who many people think is the best Doctor Who of all time.
A Dangerous Game of Cat and Mouse
Well, shortly after, some mobsters show up looking for Russ, and it turns out that Russ is a drug dealer who is involved with some very bad people. Russ finds himself in the middle of warring gangs, the authorities, and he still has to look after the cat, all the while trying to get out of this mess that Russ has put him in. It is a very fun premise, and it has kind of 80s and 90s vibes about it, which is something that I really liked.
Nostalgic Late ’90s Setting
Speaking of which, one of the things that did attract me to the movie was the fact that it was set in the late 90s. I have to be honest, there is no need at all for this movie to be set in 1998, but I dug it, and it worked. I am a sucker for anything set during the 80s and 90s, and not too many movies when that do this go for a later 90s setting.
A Stellar Ensemble Cast
Of course, Austin Butler is the star of the movie, and he is great in the leading role, but Caught Stealing has a phenomenal support cast. Matt Smith, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Zoe Kravitz, and music star Bad Bunny are all great in their respective roles. I got a huge kick out of the Laura Dern cameo, too!
Final Thoughts: A Potential Cult Classic
Caught Stealing was just a very fun time. It is a movie I was sure I was going to enjoy, and it did not disappoint. I hope this one does well at the box office as it is based on a book, and from what I heard, there is sequel potential. Even if this does not light up the box office, I can see it doing amazingly well and becoming a hit once it comes to streaming.
