FILM LOCATIONS: CAUGHT STEALIING
Film Locations: Caught Stealing
15th of Sep, 2025.
Exploring the Filming Locations of Caught Stealing (2025)
Key Points:
Authentic New York City settings such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and East Village bring gritty period realism to Caught Stealing, offering a masterclass in location work for crime-thriller productions.
For scouts, location managers and production companies: the blend of residential streets, storefronts, back-alleys and dive bars in NYC demonstrates how varied urban textures can be used to create atmosphere and story, without relying on exotic or distant locations.
Industrial Dystopian, a film location in Oxfrodshire.
What Caught Stealing Is
Caught Stealing is a 2025 crime-thriller/dark comedy film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, based on the novel by Charlie Huston. It stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber among others. The story is set in 1998 New York City, specifically focused on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, with plots weaving through criminal underworlds, dirty cops, neighbourhood life, and personal moral struggles.
Filming in New York City
The majority of Caught Stealing was filmed on location in New York City, capturing the unique look and energy of the late 1990s.
Manhattan (Lower East Side, East Village, Chinatown, Avenue A): The film makes full use of Manhattan’s dense, lived-in neighbourhoods. Old storefronts, narrow streets, dive bars and walk-ups were dressed to reflect the late ’90s, grounding the story in authentic detail.
Brooklyn: Certain sequences were shot across residential blocks and quieter side streets, providing contrast to the chaotic pace of Manhattan. These scenes highlight the value of variety within the same city for pacing and visual texture.
Queens: Used for neighbourhood and residential settings, Queens offered a calmer backdrop that balances the intensity of the story, giving the audience moments of breath between high-stakes action.
Beyond New York
While New York provided the heart of the production, filming also took place in Tulum, Mexico. These scenes provide a visual and narrative contrast to the urban grit of NYC, adding a fresh layer to the story’s atmosphere and expanding its geographical palette.
If caught stealing Was Sourced via SL
While The Runarounds thrives in New York, SL’s portfolio could have provided equally dynamic—and production-ready—alternatives for a UK-based shoot:
Oslo Nine: For a distinctly London warehouse vibe.
Pages Walk: bringing the urban grit of industrial decay.
Spratts Factory: An old dog biscuit factory turned into a Brooklyn brick style loft.
All SL locations are pre-vetted for filming access, with parking, holding areas, and flexible shooting schedules—eliminating many of the headaches that can come with street-level shoots.
Spratts Factory, a Brooklyn-esque style apartment in Bow.
Why the Locations Matter
The locations in Caught Stealing are more than background—they’re central to the storytelling.
Authenticity and period detail: By choosing real streets and buildings, dressed with signage, cars and props from 1998, the production immerses viewers in the era.
Atmosphere: The grit and texture of the Lower East Side or a dive bar in Manhattan create mood instantly, making the world feel lived in.
Storytelling through place: The protagonist’s journey is reflected in the geography of the film—from tight, claustrophobic alleys to wider, calmer residential areas, each location mirrors his emotional state.
Production lessons: For location professionals, the film highlights how careful planning, community liaison, and set dressing are essential when shooting in a dense, modern city but aiming to capture a specific period.
What Location Professionals Can Learn
Period productions need locations with retained historic character, or the flexibility to be dressed.
Urban variety is key—having dive bars, residential homes, alleys and commercial areas all within accessible distance reduces travel and maximises authenticity.
Mood is built by geography—neighbourhoods are not neutral backdrops; they carry history, energy and symbolism.
Logistics matter—shooting in real neighbourhoods means negotiating with communities, managing traffic and dressing spaces without disrupting city life.
Wharf Studios, a New York substitute in Islington.
Bring Your Project or Property to SL
Whether you’re looking for the perfect backdrop for your next series or you own a location ready for its screen debut, SL can help.
For Productions:
Browse our portfolio of ready-to-shoot locations and speak with our team about matching your creative brief.
For Owners:
List your property with SL and gain exposure to productions searching for their next breakout location.
Reach out to connect with our location specialists—or explore our online portfolio to start scouting now.
