Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing is as chaotic and alive as the 90s New York City it celebrates. Based on Charlie Huston’s novel, the film is part crime saga, part redemption story, and part punk-infused fever dream. And at the center of all this madness? A washed-up former baseball player, a tangle of mobsters and eccentrics, and one very memorable cat.
Austin Butler as Hank: Flawed, Sexy, and Totally Magnetic
Credit Austin Butler for delivering a performance that grounds this madness. As Hank, he’s a likable mess—someone whose life was derailed years earlier after a drunk-driving accident killed a teammate and destroyed his shot at a baseball career. Now bartending, battling sobriety, and just trying to stay afloat, Hank gets pulled into a nightmarish spiral after agreeing to watch his neighbor’s cat.
Butler makes Hank flawed yet sympathetic, carrying a quiet strength even as the bruises, blood, and bad decisions pile up. He’s vulnerable, often way out of his depth, but when cornered, he reveals himself to be a surprisingly capable—and relatable—badass.
The Maine Coon Named Bud
That cat Hank agrees to watch? A Maine Coon named Bud. Not just a furry sidekick, Bud becomes both an emotional anchor and the key to the film’s chaos—literally. Aronofsky plays with every cat trope imaginable (the judgmental stares, the aloofness, the sudden bursts of panic), but also uses Bud as a clever plot device. When Hank finds a mysterious key hidden in Bud’s squeaky litter box toy, the floodgates of mobsters, murderers, and chaos come crashing in.
Bud doesn’t just give audiences comic relief—he gives the film heart. In the middle of bloodbaths and betrayals, it’s the cat’s safety Hank prioritizes, proving he’s got more humanity than most of the people gunning for him.
Zoë Kravitz: Chemistry and Charisma
Zoë Kravitz shines as EMT Yvonne, delivering a performance that’s equal parts witty, fearless, and undeniably sexy. Her chemistry with Butler crackles onscreen, balancing the film’s brutality with warmth and humanity. From tense confrontations to quieter, intimate moments, Kravitz proves she can hold her own alongside a powerhouse lead.
Zoë Kravitz and Austin Butler in Caught Stealing.
Bad Bunny and the Ensemble
The cast is stacked, and Aronofsky makes the most of it.
-
Zoe Kravitz is pitch-perfect as Hank’s EMT girlfriend Yvonne. She’s charming, grounded, and serves as Hank’s best chance at stability. Her chemistry with Butler is electric, and scene to scene, she’s effortlessly magnetic.
-
Matt Smith is nearly unrecognizable as Russ, Hank’s mohawked, punk-rock neighbor whose mess sets everything into motion. His manic energy is both terrifying and oddly hypnotic.
-
Bad Bunny (Benito Martínez Ocasio) continues his hot streak, bringing swagger and unpredictability to his role as Colorado. From his Puerto Rico residency to multiple films this year, he’s proving he’s more than just the biggest musician in the world—he’s becoming a legit screen presence.
-
Regina King as detective Elise Roman brings gravitas, serving as both ally and warning sign for Hank.
-
Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio chew scenery as the Orthodox Jewish brothers hunting for the key, giving the film some of its most menacing moments.
-
Action Bronson and Nikita Kukushkin round out an ensemble that embraces Aronofsky’s eccentric, unpredictable tone.
Each character feels fully realized — and none are safe from the chaos, keeping the audience on edge.
Punk Grit and Brutal Chaos
Aronofsky paints 90s NYC with affection and grit—graffiti, old landmarks, cars, and punk culture ooze through every frame. The film is funny in moments, tense in others, and always on the verge of combusting. Even simple interactions escalate into violent spirals, and Aronofsky never lets the audience get comfortable.
The violence is brutal and unflinching, but it’s counterbalanced by absurd humor and stylish scene transitions. By the third act, the film explodes into full-blown carnivalesque chaos—Aronofsky’s twisted version of Home Alone for adults.
The Verdict
Caught Stealing is messy, unpredictable, and brutally entertaining. It’s also one of Aronofsky’s most accessible films—blending style, heart, and mayhem into something you can’t look away from. Butler proves he’s got range, Zoe Kravitz lights up the screen, Bad Bunny keeps building his acting résumé, and yes—the cat steals the show.
“Austin Butler transforms into a flawed, relatable badass in Darren Aronofsky’s wild, blood-soaked love letter to 90s New York—with a Maine Coon cat that might just steal the movie.”
And don’t leave early—stick around for two quick stingers during the credits.
Editor-in-Chief | Owner
I’m a dedicated aficionado of all things movies, pop culture, and entertainment. With a passion for storytelling and a love for the silver screen, I’m constantly immersed in the world of cinema, exploring new releases, classics, and hidden gems alike. As a fervent advocate for the power of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, I enjoy sharing my insights, reviews, and recommendations with fellow enthusiasts.