Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide rights to John Turturro crime thriller “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” the studio announced on Tuesday.
From MRC and T-Street, the film had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and is Sony Pictures Classics’ third acquisition out of the festival. The film is eyeing a theatrical release this fall.
Written and directed by Noah Segan, the film stars John Turturro (“Severance,” “The Batman”), Giancarlo Esposito (“Captain America: Brave New World,” “Breaking Bad”), Will Price (“After the Hunt,” “A Complete Unknown”), Tatiana Maslany (“The Monkey,” “Orphan Black”), Victoria Moroles (“Ballard,” “Never Have I Ever”) and Steve Buscemi (“Wednesday,” “The Death of Stalin”).
The official logline reads: The film is one of the buzziest and best reviewed films out of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and follows Harry Lehman (Turturro, who has been widely praised for his performance) as an aging pickpocket who plies his trade with ever-diminishing returns in a drastically changed New York. Wallets stuffed with cash have been replaced by easily canceled credit cards, and Harry struggles to make ends meet as he cares for his disabled wife, Rosie. When he unwittingly purloins and fences a valuable USB stick, Harry finds himself in a race against time to return the loot or face the rage of a vengeful crime family.
“Noah Segan’s ‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York’ is one of the great New York movies ever featuring John Turturro in the finest performance of his career AND it’s a glorious entertainment. It will be a big hit this fall with audiences everywhere,” said Sony Pictures Classics in a statement.
“As a multi-generational New Yorker, capturing the soul and energy of our city was a requirement for ‘The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.’ No one embodies that vibe more than John Turturro,” Segan added. “Working alongside his legendary friends and colleagues like Steve Buscemi and Giancarlo Esposito, actors who have defined New York Cinema throughout their careers, gave us the authenticity that New York demands. Alongside our crew, we managed to make discoveries in our own backyard, through fellowship and shared history. It is a great honor to partner with Sony Pictures Classics in bringing the movie to audiences. Tom, Michael and their team are legends in their own right, iconically supporting the sort of sincerity and care we’ve put into the film.”
Deadline first reported the news.
