Caught Stealing is an upcoming crime thriller, slated to be released this summer in the US. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film stars Oscar-nominated Austin Butler in the central role. Its logline, per IMDb, reads:
"Burned-out ex-baseball player Hank Thompson unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival amidst the criminal underbelly of 1990s New York City, forced to navigate a treacherous underworld he never imagined."
Butler plays the former baseball phenom, Hank Thompson. Apart from him, the cast also includes Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Matt Smith, Bad Bunny, Carol Kane, Griffin Dunne, and more. The script is written by Charlie Huston, based on his 2004 book, which has a 4-star rating on Goodreads.
The trailer offered a glimpse into the film's kinetic and comedic world-building, which reminded some fans of films by other directors such as Edgar Wright and Guy Ritchie. It's safe to say that they are excited to watch this Darren Aronofsky film. They might be wondering where the film was shot. According to 4 Filming, it was shot in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan in New York City.
Find all the details about Caught Stealing's filming locations below.
Caught Stealing: Filming locations explored
Darren Arronfsky's upcoming crime thriller takes us on a journey through New York's criminal underbelly, straight from the 1990s. Based on the trailer, it looks like a gritty look into the lesser-known parts of the Big Apple. That's likely why the film is shot in various parts across the city. It helps capture the raw essence of the place in a more authentic manner.
Let's find out what places the crew reportedly filmed at.
Queens
The film follows a group of criminals, living on the edge, even if they can barely afford to make ends meet. So, the locations should look as genuine as possible. That's where the houses and storefronts from Queens must have helped.
Situated on Long Island, Queens has plenty of residential neighborhoods that haven't changed much since the era in which the film is set. That's why the makers might have used its locations. They can make you feel like you're part of the world that Austin Butler's character inhabits, whether it's where he finds a place to hide or run from trouble.
Manhattan
Unlike the quieter parts of Queens, Manhattan is a buzzier part of NYC. It has captured several filmmakers to capture the intense moments and thrilling set-pieces from their projects. The Caught Stealing crew might have used places from Lower Manhattan, especially Chinatown, for a similar reason.
Manhattan is a buzzy and busy part of the city with narrow streets, ideal for shooting adrenaline-fuelled chase sequences. At the same time, it also has more urban-looking constructions that can offer a much-needed tonal contrast for any film production of its kind.
Apart from that, Avenue A was reportedly a part of the shoot. It is a pleasant neighbourhood that can offer spaces to show Hank's bartending background or to capture his neighbor's punk rock-ish identity.
Brooklyn
Some shots from Caught Stealing were reportedly also shot in Brooklyn. It's the most populous borough of the city, which can allow filmmakers to capture restlessness and claustrophobia in the lives of its characters. In that context, it seems like the perfect location for this thriller, which seems bold and gritty.
More details about Austin Butler's starrer Caught Stealing
According to the reports, Caught Stealing was shot mainly in Autumn after its principal photography commenced in September 2024. So, don't go expecting fresh and sunny landscapes, or it might disappoint you. Instead, it looks like a grunge-y love letter to the yesteryears of this bustling city. If that's your jam, check out the film.
Caught Stealing arrives in theaters on August 29, 2025.
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