Turturro’s Analog Heist Thriller Tops Box Office Amid Oscar Push

John Turturro stars in Noah Segan’s new crime drama, which has expanded to over 1,000 theaters and earned strong critical acclaim. The film follows an aging pickpocket navigating a digital world, marking a significant box office success and a potential Oscar campaign for the actor.
Key points
- The film grossed $1.9 million in its second week, expanding from six to 1,112 screens, with a cumulative total of $2.1 million.
- It holds a 97% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% audience score.
- Turturro trained with sleight-of-hand artist Apollo Robbins to master the physical demands of the role.
- The plot centers on Harry, a pickpocket caring for his catatonic wife, who steals a USB drive containing crypto from a crime boss’s grandson.
- The film received a Gotham Award nomination and the Golden Eye Award at the Zurich Film Festival.
Background
This release follows Turturro’s recent Oscar campaign efforts, as he has not received a nomination in 46 years. Previous coverage noted his reconciliation with co-star Giancarlo Esposito, whom he had disliked during the 1989 filming of 'Do the Right Thing.' The film opened nationwide on October 30, 2026, after premiering at the Philadelphia Film Festival.
How outlets are covering it
NPR highlights Turturro’s personal preparation, including training with Apollo Robbins and his reflections on his complex family history, including caring for his brother with schizophrenia. Deadline focuses on the commercial performance, noting the film’s rapid expansion and strong financial returns. The Arts Fuse emphasizes the cinematic texture, praising cinematographer Sam Levy’s use of Gordon Willis lenses and the film’s nostalgic tone. Plugged In offers a critical review, praising the performances but criticizing the film for glamorizing pickpocketing and containing heavy R-rated language. While outlets agree on the film’s quality, they diverge on whether it is a serious artistic statement or a glorification of crime.
Why it matters
The film’s success signals a strong audience appetite for analog-themed dramas in a digital age. It also marks a potential breakthrough for Turturro’s long-standing Oscar campaign, as the film’s critical acclaim and box office performance position him as a serious contender for the upcoming awards season.
What to watch
The film will continue its wide release, with further box office data expected in the coming weeks. Turturro’s Oscar campaign will likely intensify as the film’s awards season momentum builds, with the Gotham Award nomination serving as a key indicator of its trajectory.
- John Turturro says he likes trying new things (even pickpocketing) NPR
- ‘The Only Living Pickpocket In New York’ Steals Into Top 10, ‘Everest’ Scales $1M — Specialty Box Office Deadline
- The Only Living Pickpocket in New York Plugged In
- Film Review: "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York" - A Love Letter to a City That Won’t Love You Back The Arts Fuse
- How to Pick Pockets (and Steal Scenes) With John Turturro Rolling Stone
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