“Caught Stealing” follows Hank, who finds himself caught in the middle of a crew of threatening gangsters who all want a piece of him after being asked to take care of his punk-rock neighbor’s cat. 

A Lived-In World

The world of “Caught Stealing” feels very lived in. From the plot synopsis alone, you can tell it has style. That’s no different in the movie itself, with the streets and buildings all splattered with real-world grit. As chaos ensues, this makes the journey all the more fun.

Director Darren Aronofsky plays a big role in this, with his creativity seeping into every scene. This is a big departure from his previous works, but the style is still there. The film is shot in a way that invites immersion, with quick transitions and snappy editing bringing the action to life.

If you come for action, you should be satisfied… to a degree. Many of the fight sequences are short and to the point, but they all have their own distinct flair. Playing as a crime thriller, “Caught Stealing” is able to show off its dramatic punch in these moments of tension. Punches are thrown and guns are fired, but the film never loses touch of its central focus.

The film is also underratedly funny, mostly due to its dramatic characters. “Caught Stealing” doesn’t force any humor – it lets the jokes speak for themselves. That doesn’t mean the flick loses its edge. Beneath the laughs runs a darker streak of violence and brutality, cutting through much of the comedic tone.

A Character Study in Disguise

The first act of “Caught Stealing” is fairly tame, but that doesn’t diminish its significance. The film spends a lot of time examining the central character, and continues to add depth throughout the runtime. Offering glimpses into his past, we see a complete picture of one man. Amidst the hijinks and over-the-top characters is almost a character study in itself.

Trauma, masculinity and emotion are surprisingly touched on a fairly deep level here. Though it never goes to extreme depths, these themes reign supreme in the end.

Austin Butler (Hank) is superb in the lead role. He delivers a fairly monotone, emotionless performance, but his feelings always come out through mannerisms. His physicality is also on full display in the action sequences.

Zoë Kravitz (Yvonne) and Matt Smith (Russ) are both phenomenal additions as well. Kravitz acts as a counterbalance to Butler, while Smith inserts comedic charm into every scene. Bad Bunny (Colorado) also has a menacing and direct presence.

A Stylish But Uneven Ride

Even with all of its style and charm, “Caught Stealing” is held back by its inconsistent nature. Certain stages of the film feel largely underdeveloped, while others are over-analyzed. This makes specific sections of the flick more compelling than others.

At 107 minutes long, “Caught Stealing” bites off just a bit more than it can chew. As a whole, it’s a pretty standard ride. There aren’t many surprises, and the generic-level plot wears thin because of this length. Keeping it closer to the 90-minute mark would’ve benefited it.

The film also has a dialogue issue, feeling the need to over-explain more often than not. This adds another element to its hit-or-miss nature.

This isn’t anything that hasn’t been done before. Parts of “Caught Stealing” contain that classic Aronofsky kick, while others are… bland. This inconsistency is frustrating, as the movie borders on brilliance at times and downright disillusionment in others.

“Caught Stealing” brings its own flair, but doesn’t always land successfully. An onslaught of impressive performances and creative direction keep it feeling fresh. It’s a raw, wild ride – one that stumbles often, but never stops swinging.

Rating: 3 out of 5