Austin Butler says 'Caught Stealing' role pushed him to embrace vulnerability

Austin Butler says Darren Aronofsky’s new film 'Caught Stealing' is his most raw and vulnerable performance yet.

Austin Butler has described his role in Darren Aronofsky’s new film Caught Stealing as the most vulnerable of his career. The actor, best known for Elvis, stars alongside Zoe Kravitz in the thriller, released August 29 2025.

Butler plays Hank Thompson, a bartender in New York’s East Village whose neighbour leaves him a key to unknown valuables. The discovery pulls him into a dangerous chain of events that transforms his life.

Speaking to USA Today, Butler explained that the role demanded a different kind of performance than his recent films. “As far as what scared me, this is different from anything that I’ve been doing recently,” he said.

“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.”

He added that this role was more personally exposing. “[It] felt a lot more raw and naked, in a way. It felt more vulnerable,” Butler said.

“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 is known for drawing intense and layered performances from actors, with previous projects such as Black Swan and The Wrestler earning critical acclaim. Butler suggested that playing Hank required him to reach the same kind of emotional depth.

Caught Stealing is released in cinemas through Sony Pictures.