‘The Only Living Pickpocket In New York’ Review – John Turturro Steals The Spotlight With His Best Performance Yet [NYFF 2026]

Seeing John Turturro pop up in any movie is a delight. No matter how big or small the role may be, whether it’s classics like Do the Right Thing or The Big Lebowski, or it’s a blockbuster like The Batman or Transformers, he is always a joy to watch on screen. That being said, it’s rare to see him be the main character of a film. His most prominent leading role was in the fantastic Coen Brothers’ film, Barton Fink. Clearly, actor-turned-director Noah Segan has also been clamoring to see him get top billing for a movie again. His latest directorial effort, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, gives Turturro the brightest spotlight of his career.

Harry Lehman (John Turturro) spends his spare time roaming the streets of New York, riding the subway, and taking advantage of any opportunity he can to pickpocket something he can sell. He has been forced to change his methods over the years and take more risks to grab valuable items that cannot be traced back to him. His finances are running dry, threatening to get in the way of his ability to take care of his ailing wife, Rosie (Karina Arroyave). One day, Harry steals a USB stick from a young man named Dylan (Will Price), unaware of its value or the danger that awaits him and those he’s close to.

Segan captures just how much New York has changed as a city. It would have been easy for him to lean on expository dialogue about how nothing is like the good ol’ days anymore, but he takes a different approach. We observe Harry adapt to the types of things he needs to pickpocket in order to turn a profit. He can no longer expect to find a wallet full of cash on a person, and smartphones can’t get pawned off due to how easy they are to track. There is a strong focus on how our reliance on technology has changed the way we carry our valuables and keep ourselves protected. At the same time, Harry’s advantage is his intellect and long life of experience. He can see right through the bravado that people possess as they navigate the city.

Turturro is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, many of whom he has worked with on other projects. His scenes with Steve Buscemi, who plays a pawnbroker named Ben, are thoroughly enjoyable. They’ve appeared together in multiple movies before, including the aforementioned Barton Fink and The Big Lebowski, so that bond that they’ve shared as actors for decades shines through on screen, given the characters they play share a long history of friendship. The same is true for his scenes with Giancarlo Esposito’s Detective Warren, who previously starred in Do the Right Thing alongside Turturro. Their dynamic rides an interesting line where there’s tension coming from past arrests and plenty of fun banter that shows a mutual respect for one another.

One of the strongest scenes in the movie comes from Turturro and Tatiana Maslany as his estranged daughter, Kelly. The two of them also star in A Statement, another Sony Pictures Classics release that screened at this year’s New York Film Festival. Interestingly, there is a contentious energy between the two of them in both films, but there is a raw emotional fracture at the center of their relationship in this film. As for the antagonist, Will Price struggles to keep up with the rest of the cast. Dylan is not an intimidating character by design, but it makes it much harder to believe in the stakes when they reach life and death status. That weight only comes through because of the connections Harry has with others, particularly his wife. Karina Arroyave is given a tough task to play a character who’s no longer mobile or able to speak, but her portrayal is sensitively handled all around.

All of these performances are in service of John Turturro. The Only Living Pickpocket in New York rests entirely on his shoulders. Everything else that makes the movie solid would not have been able to hold this story together had it not been for the depth and range we get from his performance. His scenes of pickpocketing are slick, emphasizing Turturro’s effortless charm and his calm determination. He may not have everything figured out at all times, but he is always quick on his feet to come up with clever solutions and think one step ahead. His expertise in comedic timing has been a secret weapon of so many of his roles, this one included, but it is rare to see him tap into his vulnerable side. His love for his family, even the ones that have disconnected from him, is core to all of his choices. So when the narrative shifts into something more urgent, his desperation takes over as he wants nothing more than to make things right for those he cares about most.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is an efficient crime drama that’s both a welcome entry to the NYC cinematic canon and a wonderful showcase for one of the greats, John Turturro. It is an easy, breezy watch to recommend to anybody. It’s refreshing to see a movie in this genre that both embraces its trademark qualities and uses them for a self-reflective, intimate story.

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York held its New York Premiere as part of the Spotlight section at the 2026 New York Film Festival. The film will debut in select theaters on October 23, 2026, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

Director: Noah Segan

Writer: Noah Segan

Rated: R

Runtime: 88m

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