Caught Stealing is a dark comedy crime movie set in 1990s New York City. It follows a washed-up baseball player who gets hunted by several gang leaders after he agrees to watch his neighbor's cat. The film features a highly diverse cast and makes noticeable changes to the original book characters. The corrupt police detective is changed to a black woman, and several villains have had their races and religions changed. These changes are visible to viewers who know the book, but the story stays focused on a gritty crime caper.
Community feedback
Was our 35% Woke rating accurate?
Loading review details…
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Caught Stealing.
Woke representation / casting
The movie has a diverse cast including Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, and Bad Bunny. This fits the New York City setting. However, some characters were changed from the book. For example, a male cop became a black female cop, and some villains were changed. These choices look like modern representation priorities. But the actors are well-suited to their roles and the story.
25%
Woke political dialogue
The movie does not have woke political dialogue or activist messages. The characters use normal street slang and talk like criminals from the 1990s. They focus on survival and money rather than social justice.
0%
Identity-driven story themes
The story does not focus on identity themes. It is a simple, dark crime comedy. The main character tries to survive and deal with his personal past. He does not go through any social-justice or activist storylines.
0%
Western institutional / cultural critique
There is a corrupt police officer in the movie, but this is a normal crime movie trope. It is not used to push modern activist critiques of the police or the system. A few critics noted that certain villains were changed to fit a more modern worldview, but there are no heavy political lectures.
5%
Woke character or canon changes
The movie makes several changes to the 2004 book. Detective Roman was changed from a man to a black woman played by Regina King. Two black villains were changed to Orthodox Jewish brothers. An Asian villain was replaced by a Puerto Rican gang leader. Some fans and conservative critics felt these swaps were made to fit modern representation trends and avoid bad stereotypes of certain groups.
40%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
There was very little backlash. A few book fans and conservative reviewers complained about the changes to the characters' races and genders. They felt the movie was pandering to modern trends. However, this did not turn into a big public fight or major controversy.
18%
Creator track record context
The people who made the movie have mixed records. Director Darren Aronofsky has a history of environmental activism in his films. Screenwriter Charlie Huston often includes diverse characters. Some producers have funded identity-focused films, while others have no public activist records.
45%
Production
Movie · 2020
An ordinary guy suddenly finds himself forced to fight a gladiator-like battle for a dark website that streams the violence for viewers.
Movie · 2018
A series of mysterious events changes the life of a blind pianist who now must report a crime that was actually never witnessed by him.
Movie · 2023
Inspired by a true story, an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converge in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound black bear goes on a murderous rampage after…
Movie · 2021
The world’s most lethal odd couple – bodyguard Michael Bryce and hitman Darius Kincaid – are back on another life-threatening mission.
Movie · 2017
Lynn, a brilliant student, after helping her friends to get the grades they need, develops the idea of starting a much bigger exam-cheating business.
Movie · 2017
When a depressed woman is burglarized, she finds a new sense of purpose by tracking down the thieves alongside her obnoxious neighbor.
Movie · 2024
Broke and depressed, Ray is mistaken for a dangerous hitman and given an envelope of cash. Along with his P.I.
Movie · 2017
A disgraced former cop, fresh off a six-year prison sentence for attempted murder, returns home looking for redemption but winds up trapped in the mess he left behind.
