Austin Butler's Crime Thriller Finds New Life on Netflix
Darren Aronofsky's overlooked 2025 film starring Austin Butler is gaining momentum on the streaming platform, proving that sometimes the best movies need a second chance to find their audience.
Austin Butler's crime thriller has quietly become one of Netflix's most talked-about rediscoveries. The Darren Aronofsky-directed film, which earned $28.3 mn worldwide during its theatrical run, now commands attention on the streaming service.
The movie follows a simple premise that spirals into chaos. Butler plays Hank, an ordinary guy who agrees to watch his neighbor's cat. This seemingly innocent favor launches him into a criminal underworld he never saw coming.
What Makes This Thriller Different
The film earned an 85% critic score and 83% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Those numbers reflect something special about Aronofsky's approach to the material.
Butler doesn't play the typical tough-guy hero. His character feels genuinely scared, confused, and out of his depth. The performance grounds the escalating violence in real human emotion rather than action-movie bravado.
Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, and Matt Smith round out the cast. Each brings distinct energy to their roles as criminals from different backgrounds who cross paths with Hank's increasingly desperate situation.
Why It Works So Well
The pacing never lets up. Every decision Hank makes leads to worse consequences. What starts as a favor becomes a nightmare of bad choices and dangerous encounters.
Aronofsky keeps the runtime tight. No scenes feel wasted or drawn out. The movie moves with the same frantic energy as its protagonist trying to survive each new threat.
The violence feels real rather than stylized. Characters get hurt and stay hurt. The stakes feel genuine because the consequences stick around.
More Than Surface Thrills
Beneath the crime story runs a deeper current about guilt and escape. Hank isn't motivated by greed or power. He's dealing with personal failures and regrets that the external chaos forces him to confront.
The movie asks whether anyone can truly start over or if the past always catches up. As Hank faces physical threats, he also confronts parts of himself he's been avoiding.
This psychological layer separates the film from standard crime thrillers. The real tension comes from watching someone ordinary pushed beyond their limits.