'Caught Stealing' star Austin Butler opens up about his most 'vulnerable' film yet Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYAugust 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM Austin Butler has played a Manson family killer, a COVIDera cult leader and the hipshaking King of Rock 'n' Roll.
- - 'Caught Stealing' star Austin Butler opens up about his most 'vulnerable' film yet
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYAugust 27, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Austin Butler has played a Manson family killer, a COVID-era cult leader and the hip-shaking King of Rock 'n' Roll.
But the former Disney Channel star turns in one of his most soul-baring performances yet in "Caught Stealing" (in theaters Aug. 29), a twisty New York crime caper from filmmaker Darren Aronofsky ("The Wrestler"). Butler portrays the charming ne'er-do-well Hank, an East Village bartender who loves his mom, baseball and girlfriend Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz).
But when his seedy neighbor, Russ (Matt Smith), skips town and leaves him with a key that unlocks unknown valuables, Hank becomes the unwitting target of bloodthirsty gangsters. Although the film is frequently droll and outrageous, it's also unexpectedly poignant at times, as Hank grapples with alcoholism, grief and a traumatic accident that dashed his athletic dreams.
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The blossoming relationship between Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz, left) and Hank (Austin Butler) is put to the test in "Caught Stealing."
"Caught Stealing" initially intimidated Butler, 34, who last year disappeared into period drama "The Bikeriders" and sci-fi epic "Dune: Part Two."
"As far as what scared me, this is different from anything that I've been doing recently," says Butler, who earned a best actor Oscar nomination for "Elvis" in 2023. "In my previous few films, I've been exploring characters who are quite different from me, physically and vocally. I could immerse myself in this different skin."
Hank (Austin Butler) gets caught in a web of deadly crime in "Caught Stealing."
But inhabiting Hank "felt a lot more raw and naked, in a way. It felt more vulnerable," he says. For Butler, it was about "embracing the messiness of life itself; the bits of my own self that I usually want to keep hidden or pretend that they don't exist. It brings all of that to the forefront: the mistakes and imperfections of myself."
Aronofsky, 56, has long favored dark character studies, having directed Oscar-winning performances by Natalie Portman ("Black Swan") and Brendan Fraser ("The Whale") as an exacting ballerina and reclusive teacher, respectively. Reading Charlie Huston's 2004 novel "Caught Stealing," he was drawn to the idea of Hank being forced to confront his inner demons.
27 PhotosAustin Butler's career in photos: Actor will star in 'Caught Stealing' with Zoë KravitzSee Gallery
"It's what the film's about," Aronofsky says. And ultimately, "that was an exciting thing as a director, because it's clear to everyone how talented Austin is. But Elvis, even though he was a real person, he's almost a superhero. There was no hiding from Hank in this movie."
The role "demanded every type of emotion, from starting off totally carefree and slightly irresponsible to every bad thing in the world crumbling down on him," Aronofsky adds. "I applaud his bravery in coming at it."
Aronofsky has been on Butler's Hollywood bucket list for decades, ever since he first saw the harrowing 2000 drug drama "Requiem for a Dream" at age 12. The movie was recommended to Butler by the director of a student film he was working on, and the now-heartthrob was immediately entranced.
"Sorry," Aronofsky quips. "I apologize to your parents. He could have told you to watch 'Pi,' which would have been OK for a 12-year-old."
Austin Butler attends a screening of "Caught Stealing" in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 13, 2025.
Butler has continually gravitated toward Aronofsky's mind-bending movies, despite the occasional befuddlement of his friends and family.
"I remember having a party at my house where I had everybody sit in the backyard and I projected 'The Fountain' on a wall – and they just left," Butler jokes. "I also took my dad and sister to see 'Mother!' Afterwards, my dad was like, 'What did you just take me to?' I was like, 'But Dad! It's an allegory!'"
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austin Butler felt more 'naked' than ever in 'Caught Stealing'
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