Austin Butler takes on an action-heavy lead role in Darren Aronofsky’s dark comedy crime caper “Caught Stealing.” Set in New York in 1998, the Elvis actor plays Hank Thompson, a former baseball player whose promising career was cut short by tragedy.
Hank appears to have his life back on track, managing a dive bar and dating a caring emergency medical technician (Zoe Kravitz). However, when his British punk rocker neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), leaves his cat in Hank’s care while he’s away, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the crosshairs of the city’s ruthless criminal gangs. The film features intense scenes as Hank, with the cat in tow, tries to outwit the thugs.
At the movie’s London premiere on Tuesday, Butler said, “There’s a lot of running. There’s a lot of action. I got the crap beat out of me. I got to run a lot.” He added that his character is also running away from his own problems.
“That’s kind of a universal thing, whether it’s reaching for a new relationship or a new job or whatever those things are that can keep you from feeling certain things,” Butler said. “And in this, he’s finally forced to face these things. That’s the theme for me that resonates.”
The film is based on the 2004 book of the same name by Charlie Huston, who also wrote the screenplay.
Black Swan and The Wrestler director Aronofsky stated he was looking for a new challenge after his 2022 drama, The Whale, and “wanted to have some fun.” He said, “Making something that’s funny, that has a lot of jokes, you’re lighter on your feet.” Aronofsky added, “When I read the book, I was excited and deeply moved by all the twists and turns, the action, the kind of energy on the streets. I wanted to give that back and bring it to life on the big screen.”
The project also marked a new role for The Crown and House of the Dragon star Matt Smith. The British actor sports a towering, brightly colored mohawk in the film.
But according to Butler, it was the pet, not Russ’s hair, that stole the show. “The cat’s the real star of the show. His name’s Tonic and he’s an amazing actor, an amazing little animal. I love him a lot.”
Caught Stealing, which also stars Bad Bunny, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, and Vincent D’onofrio, is set to be released in cinemas globally on August 27.
