Caught Stealing (2025) Review - After Hours meets Guy Ritchie in an entertaining Home Run

I knew Caught Stealing (2025) was going a be an odd film for me to review given that I have actually never watched any other of Darren Aronofsky films (I've already handed back in my cinephile card, justice has been dealt). But what I am familiar with are many of the films cited or considered as influences like Martin Scorsese's stellar After Hours (1985), Guy Ritchie and the general culture of the late 90s. I'm by no means a baseball aficionado either but I'd say I have more of an interest in it than the average Brit - shoutout the Blue Jays.

So while many will approach the film through an auteur lens, for me it was all about that genre and sweet sweet action. I have an undeniable soft spot for midbrow films like Caught Stealing, they combine my love for entertaining narratives with just enough substance that there are enough layers to engage with the films on multiple levels. Given what little I know of Aronofsky and how much I love the aforementioned influences, I knew Caught Stealing was going to scratch that itch.

Caught Stealing perfectly rode the line for this kind of movie I outlined - a crime dark comedy with plenty of action that pairs its adrenaline and conspiracy with a well rounded central character arc and your typical themes of morality, responsibility and trauma.

Austin Butler gives a great performance as Hank, capturing a vulnerability and ongoing ego that gives the character an appropriate depth, aided by a strong script that centralises the conflict around its protagonist, I struggle to recall a scene that actually didn't include Hank. It was a logical choice that I think paid off as while yes it may mean the side characters are less complex it forces them to adopt a consolidated quick visual and spoken identity that you can quickly remember within what could be a confusing plot. They're not stereotypes just bold personalities. Matt Smith has to be given his kudos in this regard; Caught Stealing finally gives him the iconic and strong film performance he has been deserving for the longest time, perfectly characterising the punk and aggressive Russ. I was also a fan of Griffin Dunne's Paul because come on do I need to explain.

My only real complaint with the cast of characters is the underutilisation of Zoe Kravitz's Yvonne. Kravitz delivers a confident performance with the material she has but in the narrative where the side characters are all out for their own interests that allows them to retain agency while servicing Hank's growth, Yvonne didn't have this same independence. She feels less of a fun character to watch like the others and more as a plot device.

Turning to the more technical side, I was impressed by the films editing and mise-en-scene above all else. The cinematography was superb but some interesting impressionistic editing really allowed for powerful fleeting insights into Hank's psyche that is only probed further and further as he is drawn into the conspiracy. Conversely, the mise-en-scene was perfectly gritty and captured the era well. The 90s setting didn't feel like just a gimmick but rather a natural atmosphere that was never distracting from the events at play. The soundtrack and overall sound design was great as well; snappy and rock-centric really running home the dirty vibe the film has. The score was by Idles, a post-punk band I wasn't aware of beforehand but knocked it out the park.

The violence as well was done brilliantly. It was refreshing seeing a film where violence while rather stylised and with that genre sleek that can never be truly removed, is approached in an otherwise as unglamorous way as it can. The violence is never dwelled on for an overly dramatic period and leaves lasting wounds on the characters - it's as real as it is effective in reflecting the growing senseless brutality of its world.

Also any film with some Smash Mouth gets extra credit.

While, I've been told Caught Stealing is likely the happiest of Aronofsky's filmography, I'll definitely be checking out his other work after the fun I had here. I recommend the film for pretty much any audiences seeking new dark comedies with a comfortable style and substance.

4/5