In the 1980s, Hank Thompson was an up-and-coming baseball star, but a vehicular accident that resulted in the death of his friend and fellow player derailed his career. In 1998 New York, Hank is asked to care for his friend’s cat while he is away, but quickly learns the hard way that his friend was mixed up with unsavory characters from the criminal underworld. He quickly finds himself in the middle of rival gangs, corrupt individuals, and a ton of money they’ll kill to get their hands on.
I was admittedly not familiar with CAUGHT STEALING prior to the press screening I attended, but was certainly eager to see it given Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis Presley a few years back. From its earliest moments, CAUGHT STEALING is nonstop intensity, with contents under pressure threatening to burst wide open at any minute. Despite this, the movie has a likeable leading man, and just enough humor to keep the experience from becoming too dire and depressing. It’s beautifully shot, bringing the tale to life excellently. And did I mention there’s a very cute cat in it too?
Casting might be CAUGHT STEALING’s greatest asset. Seeing Austin Butler on the big screen, this time in the form of a lovable loser in 1998 New York City (because, of course, every movie ever made is set there) who was once a baseball hopeful is an interesting turn. This is the slacker you can’t help but love, and when he’s thrown in the middle of a gang conflict due to his British punk roommate, played by Matt Smith, all hell breaks loose, and it becomes a struggle just to survive. The chase sequences are intense, and I certainly found myself rooting for this guy. The cast also include Zoe Kravitz as his paramedic girlfriend, Regina King as a police officer investigating the goings on, and Vincent D’Onofrio as a Hebrew gangster (that’s not a misprint).
The film is beautifully shot, and transports the viewer back to 1998 NYC exceptionally well, with a great soundtrack and a gritty look. There are even a handful of 1980s flashbacks to the accident that put Hank in his current situation that look the part as well. The camera work here is done exceptionally well, whether it’s a more intimate sequence or a crazed chase sequence through the Big Apple. Or a cute cat. Matthew Libatique (IRON MAN, A STAR IS BORN) definitely deserves an Oscar for cinematography for the way he shoots this movie. It’s a gritty, intense tale, and looks the part throughout.
If there’s one weakness in this otherwise excellent film, it’s that it tries to do a bit too much with too many characters. The movie is never not intense, but just when you think the story is about to reach a resolution, it just keeps going for more plot twists and doesn’t know when to stop. Removal of a few plot points and characters and perhaps 5-10 minutes of running time could’ve made for a more efficient final product, but I won’t deny I love what I saw here.
CAUGHT STEALING is a madcap suspense thriller that holds absolutely nothing back. It’s also one of the unexpected cinematic surprises of 2025 thanks to great casting and performances, excellent cinematography, a compelling plot that’s not without its twists, and of course, a cute cat the steals the show. A very highly recommended film!