Caught Stealing (15)

Darren Aronofsky’s chaotic and uncharacteristically joyful ’90s crime ride.

Known for films like Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, and The Whale, Aronofsky has built a reputation for spirals of obsession, balletic horror, and apocalyptic drama. Here, he dials down the intensity for something lighter and wilder. Set in the ’90s Lower East Side, the film follows Hank Thompson, a former high school baseball star whose life takes a sharp detour when a seemingly harmless favour, looking after a neighbor’s cat, plunges him into a chaotic underworld of mobsters, stolen loot, double-crosses, and high-speed chases.

Loosening up after the emotional weight of The Whale, Aronofsky delivers a breezy, fast-moving crime thriller filled with eccentric characters, sly humor, and the gritty energy of the era. Austin Butler gives one of his most magnetic performances as Hank, balancing charm with frantic energy as chaos escalates. A stacked supporting cast including Zoë Kravitz, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Carol Kane, Griffin Dunne, Bad Bunny, Matt Smith, and Regina King keeps the energy high.

Shot on location with longtime cinematographer Matthew Libatique, this is stylish, exhilarating, and a reminder that Aronofsky can still thrill while embracing mischief and sheer cinematic fun.