Caught Stealing Offers the Greatest Proof Yet of Austin Butler’s Movie Stardom

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Whenever Austin Butler is on screen he is usually doing a thing.

In Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic, Elvis became so engrossed in his role that it appeared as if he wouldn’t stop speaking with Elvis Presley’s distinctive Southern drawl even when the camera wasn’t rolling. For Dune: Part Two, he assumed a Nordic accent and an unsettling gaze to portray Harkonnen nepo baby Feyd-Rautha. In The Bikeriders, he embodied an enigmatic greaser with almost legendary characteristics. Additionally, he played a cult leader reminiscent of QAnon (Eddington) and a member of the Manson family (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood).

In Darren Aronofsky’s 1990s film “Caught Stealing,” which is adapted from Charlie Huston’s novel, Butler portrays a character named Hank Thompson who appears quite ordinary. This might be the most convincing demonstration of his cinematic fame so far.

Hank, formerly a well-known baseball player, now finds himself working at a casual bar on the Lower East Side. His love interest is Yvonne, an attractive EMT, portrayed by Zoë Kravitz in this scenario. He struggles with excess drinking as a means to cope with past injuries, but overall, he’s generally a kind and quintessential American man.

He frequently reaches out to his mother for support, showing compassion not only towards her but also towards the homeless person living near him in the neighborhood. This portrayal presents Hank as a complex character, grappling with personal issues while maintaining a sense of decency towards others.

As a devoted admirer, it’s truly disheartening to witness the chaos that befalls Hank when he finds himself unexpectedly entrusted with Bud, Russ (the charismatic Brit-punk neighbor played by Matt Smith) cat. You see, Russ, who has quite an intriguing lifestyle, abruptly leaves town to tend to his ailing father. This leaves poor Hank in the hot seat, and unfortunately for him, it’s during this time that aggressive gangsters from across the city start tracking down Russ. As fate would have it, they happen upon Hank, thrusting him into a dangerous situation he never asked for.

During the film, Butler serves as a constant anchor amidst the turbulence of chaos and violence. He’s essentially an ordinary individual attempting to lead a peaceful life, yet finds himself caught in a precarious predicament involving aggressive Eastern Europeans, ruthless mobsters from Hasidic communities, and Bad Bunny brandishing a gun menacingly. In one instance, the artist known as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, more popularly known as Bad Bunny, flamboyantly intimidates Butler while he’s only partially dressed.

Despite being surrounded by eccentric characters, Butler consistently stands out as the most fascinating figure on screen. Even in dire situations, he imparts an air of casual ease to Hank, a charismatic demeanor reminiscent of a naturally athletic Californian. Regardless of his internal struggles with emotional turmoil and physical wounds, Butler maintains an endearing charm that captivates the audience.

As a passionate film lover, I must say that “Caught Stealing” marks the first time I’ve seen Butler genuinely at ease leveraging his inherent good looks and captivating charm for the silver screen in his mature acting career.

Initially, due to his handsome and boyish charm, Butler found himself typecast into conventional romantic lead roles. On the television series The CW’s “The Carrie Diaries,” he portrayed Sebastian Kydd, a character reminiscent of Big who had a young Carrie Bradshaw (played by AnnaSophia Robb) mooning over him. Essentially, his primary duty was to exude charm and smolder as the leading lady yearned for him.

As Butler gained recognition as a serious actor, he had an intense yearning to change, concealing both his physical charm and his real-life persona by fully immersing himself into his roles. He didn’t aim to become unattractive – Elvis was the epitome of teen idols – but rather, he sought to blend in. Lately, Butler has admitted to moving away from his Method acting approach. In an interview with Men’s Health, he shared that Laura Dern, whom he serendipitously encountered, is teaching him how to separate himself from demanding roles. “She’s helping me more and more to understand that you can emerge on the other side,” he said, “and perhaps parts of you have mended, combined, and adapted. It can be healing, in a sense.

In the movie “Caught Stealing”, the fresh, captivating portrayal of Butler is showcased. His acting, marked by intensity due to numerous on-screen injuries, surprisingly invites viewers in instead of repelling them. The aim is to win the audience over and align them with him and Hank. As a result, Butler is more endearing than ever before. Even when intoxicated, it feels like an extension of the Butler who danced enthusiastically at a Bad Bunny concert under the influence of edibles. Great movie stars possess both raw talent and an indescribable spark. In “Caught Stealing”, Butler has demonstrated beyond doubt that he’s a technically proficient actor, capable of seamlessly slipping into roles such as Elvis or Feyd-Rautha. The film suggests that Butler is equally engaging when he showcases his Austin Butler-like qualities. This versatility bodes well for his long-term career in Hollywood as a leading figure. Indeed, he excels in all aspects of acting.

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2025-08-29 16:18