‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York’ Review: John Turturro Shines in Noah Segan’s Sundance Debut

John Turturro delivers a mesmerizing performance in The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Noah Segan’s directorial debut that premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film blends nostalgia, crime drama, and indie sensibilities into a poignant exploration of loss, survival, and the fading art of old-school thievery.

A Character Out of Time

Turturro plays Harry, a smalltown thief who feels like a relic in modern Manhattan. “I lived my life in people’s pockets,” he sighs, embodying a man whose craft belongs to another era. Harry’s world of stolen watches and quick lifts collides with today’s digital age, where surveillance cameras and smartphones make his tricks obsolete. Early scenes establish Harry as a ghostly figure, moving through crowded streets with practiced ease. Yet even his instincts falter when he tries to sell a fake watch, only to be reminded by his fence (Steve Buscemi) that “everything has a clock on it” now.

Generational Clash

The story intensifies when Harry crosses paths with Dylan (Will Price), the wealthy heir of a Manhattan crime family. Unlike Harry, Dylan embraces the future—crypto, cybercrime, and digital dominance. He tracks Harry down with ease, threatening the one thing Harry values most: his ailing wife. This generational clash highlights the film’s central theme: the tension between old-school street crime and modern digital schemes. Dylan’s disdain for “the street” underscores how quickly the underworld has evolved, leaving figures like Harry behind.

A Poignant Reflection

Segan uses Harry’s journey to explore themes of mortality and regret. Along the way, Harry reconnects awkwardly with his estranged daughter, adding emotional depth to his character. The film balances dark humor with melancholy, echoing the gritty realism of John Cassavetes and the reflective tone of Spike Lee’s 25th Hour.

A Love Letter to Indie Cinema

With a cast that includes Giancarlo Esposito and Tatiana Maslany, the film pays homage to New York’s indie scene of the 1980s. Segan, known for his collaborations with Rian Johnson, crafts a debut that feels both curated and deeply personal. His direction captures the romantic nostalgia society often attaches to criminals, even while condemning their actions. At just 88 minutes, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York is compact yet impactful. It’s a serious meditation on loss and change, wrapped in the guise of a crime drama. Turturro’s performance anchors the film, making it an early contender for awards buzz.