Slate Daily Feed Culture Gabfest: Austin Butler Is Caught Cat Sitting Edition
Sep 3, 2025
This week, Isaac Butler, author of The Method, joins the discussion. They explore the 1990s crime film Caught Stealing featuring Austin Butler, spotlighting its unique blend of humor and grit. The panel shifts to The Thursday Murder Club adaptation, examining challenges in portraying aging characters. They also delve into A24's artistic impact, discussing their innovative approach amidst industry changes and the potential risks of AI in filmmaking. This lively conversation is filled with nostalgic reflections and critical insights into modern cinema.
AI Snips
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Episode notes
Form Over Coherence In Caught Stealing
- Darren Aronofsky's Caught Stealing prioritizes embodied performances and 1990s New York atmosphere over a coherent screenplay.
- Isaac Butler and Julia Turner praise physicality and period detail while critiquing weak joke-writing and tonal clashes.
Tonality And Script Weaknesses
- Critics found the film inconsequential and tonally inconsistent despite energetic direction.
- Stephen Metcalf calls the script full of "AI quality elements" and lacking the coherence of true picaresque films.
Listeners Spot Real NYC Locations
- Isaac Butler recalls an audience friend's text: "I did coke in that Kim's when he walked on it."
- He also loved the shootout set at Grand Prospect Hall as a specific New York detail.
