Mikes Film Talk

Darren Aronofsky gives us the 2025 Action/Dark Comedy Caught Stealing. It is a film peripherally about baseball and has Dr Who as a punk drug dealer. *For those living under a rock, Matt Smith had a pretty good run as the Tardis traveling doctor before leaving. He has the distinction of being the first “doctor” to be nominated for a BAFTA for his portrayal.*

Charlie Huston wrote the book and adapted it into the screenplay.

Caught Stealing Story

Per IMDb.com: Burned-out ex-baseball player Hank Thompson unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City, forced to navigate a treacherous underworld he never imagined.

Caught Stealing Cast

Austin Butler is Hank Thompson.

Regina King is Detective Roman.

Zoë Kravitz is Yvonne.

Matt Smith is Russ.

Nikita Kukushkin is Pavel, aka; Microbe.

Yuri Kolokolnikov is Aleksei.

Liev Schreiber is Lipa.

Vincent D’Onofrio is Shmully.

Bad Bunny is Colorado.

Kick Arse Cameos

Carol Kane is Bubbe.

Laura Dern as Hank’s mum.

Let’s Talk Caught Stealing

I have been an Aronofsky fan since Black Swan. The man knows how to do dark. Caught Stealing is basically a dark comedy wrapped around baseball themed action/thriller. The entire thing knocks the not so metaphorical ball right out of the park. *Black Swan was the darkest of the dark. For a film about Ballet, it weirded the f**k out of me. I was afraid to take a tub bath for roughly six months after watching it in the cinema.*

The cinematography by Matthew Libatique is wonderfully dark. The musical score by Rob Simonsen is nigh on perfect.

However, apart from the technical aspects of the film, it has a cast of characters we like. Hank and Yvonne are a cute couple. Even Hank’s dark past, and boy is it dark, doesn’t take away from his likeable nature.

We even like the two Orthodox Jews, aka “monsters” who take out the opposition. *Great casting here. I had to look twice at Lipa before I realised he was personal fave Schreiber, aka Ray Donovan. * Even the Russian mob enforcers are strangely likeable.

Speaking of Casting

The film is a veritable “Who’s Who” of talent. From Bad Bunny, to the brilliant cameos; I adore Carol Kane and Laura Dern, this was a cornucopia of actors. I was actually shocked to learn that Russ was played by Matt Smith, aka the 11th Dr Who, I did not recognise him. *Of course once I knew it was Smith, I was just as amazed that I did not recognise him. Go figure.*

It all Works

The entirety of Caught Stealing works. There are enough twists and turns to satisfy the most jaded of film fans. Perhaps the best twist has to do with a lighter that looks like a .25 pistol. This device allows Hank to step up to the plate and hit that metaphorical homerun.

The two Jewish killers are an excellent touch. They won’t even drive on Shabbos (Shabbat.) However, before the whole, “Let the goy drive,” schtick they take out the Russian mob’s nightclub. Uzis, grenades, silencers and wholesale murder are the order of the day.

Butler carries this film easily. He has the same star quality as the late Steve McQueen and there could have been so much more of Kravitz. Everyone here acts their little cotton socks off and it helps the film immeasurably.

The Verdict

Caught Stealing is a solid 5 star film. It fires on all cylinders and at 107 minutes is not too long. The pacing is spot on and the plot is just this side of brilliant. It is streaming on Netflix right now. Stop whatever you are doing and watch this film. You will thank me later.

The Trailer