CRIME 101 is a 2026 crime thriller film written and directed by Bart Layton, who previously co-wrote and directed the 2018 crime thriller film, American Animals. The film is based on the 2021 novel from author Don Winslow.
Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose high-stakes heists unfolding along the iconic 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads, forcing the two to collaborate.
The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Monica Barbaro, and Corey Hawkins.
CRIME 101 made its debut in theaters February 13th, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios.
CRIME 1O1, which initially had plans for a 2025 release, instead hit theaters on February 13th alongside other intriguing films like Gore Verbinski’s sci-fi comedy thriller GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE (preview and trailer here), starring Sam Rockwell. I had a hard time deciding on which of these two I wanted to see first, but CRIME 101 won out in the end because I do love me a good crime thriller and anything that stars my guy Chris Hemsworth. Plus the fact that the film is based on a book intrigued me as well since I will likely get my hands on that in the near future.
CRIME 101 is a smooth and immersive crime thriller that in many ways felt like the 80’s or 90’s era films that Hollywood always seems desperate to re-create. I have read the film drawing comparisons to Steve McQueen’s Bullitt (1968), or one of the best heist thrillers ever made in the 1995 film Heat. Now clearly it is unfair to try and compare such classic films, but you can’t help but feel that throwback style to a film that focuses so much on intense car chases and natural character development.
Chris Hemsworth plays Davis, a mysterious and very calculated thief who carefully plans his heists to ensure he gets out cleanly and nobody gets hurt in the process. He draws the attention of an aging detective named Lou, played by Mark Ruffalo, who is convinced that a series of crimes along freeway 101 in Los Angeles are related, and he believes they are the work of one man that has been outsmarting police at every turn.
Right from the jump I loved the intrigue surrounding Hemsworth’s character as the opening sequence focuses on his methodical approach to these high-value heists. It is clear that he is a very OCD individual who also has a certain distrust for people which stems from past trauma. The film centers around the initial heist which results in Davis having an uncomfortable brush with his own mortality causing him to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Although Davis plans his heists in meticulous detail with a focus on minimizing risk, an unfortunate misstep he could not have accounted for leaves him questioning his next job.
Davis meets with the man who helps sell his stolen goods, a no-nonsense character named Money played by Nick Nolte, and tells him that the heist he has been planning is a not happening due to a level of risk and unknowns he is not comfortable with. Money, who already knows the details of the job, risks their partnership by giving the job to a maniacal hothead named Ormon, played by Barry Keoghan, who hammers around on a dirt bike covered in tats like he’s Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond the Pines, an incredible film by the way. This decision puts Davis and Ormon on a dangerous collision course that makes for one heck of a fun ride.
CRIME 101 is unique in the sense that it has all of these interconnected stories, giving viewers just enough background for each character, so that once everything comes to a head you feel some level of connection to each character. On one hand you have the cat and mouse game between a determined detective and a talented thief who has carefully evaded law enforcement, but the wrench in it all is Ormon who is basically a wrecking ball to everything around him.
I really liked CRIME 101 and I thought the setup was great with how everything came together. One of my all-time favorite films is the 2004 drama Crash, so I have always appreciated when a story can have all of these interconnected paths that impact the final outcome. I loved all of the characters and how they fit into the story, and each came with their own baggage.
It was a bit different seeing Hemsworth as this quiet and somewhat socially awkward guy since I am so used to seeing him full of confidence and personality. Davis does not lack confidence in the slightest, but his past has led to a general distrust of people and what it means to be happy. I really liked all of the characters, even Ormon who you can’t help but dislike as he is the primary antagonist for the film, but his character is still intriguing and brings excitement to the film. You are also left wondering about his background and sort of what brought him to where he is now.
CRIME 101 offers everything you could want from a crime/heist thriller, from great shots and camera work, to a hard-hitting soundtrack, and of course some awesome edge-of-your-seat car chases that really take viewers back to old-school cinema. The camera work made you feel like you were right there in downtown Los Angeles, and for me the cinematography added a ton to the feel of the film. At times it did feel like a blend of Heat and The Place Beyond the Pines, which is high praise of course. An insurance appraiser named Sharon, played by Halle Berry, is suffering a self-worth crisis in her career and she finds herself mixed up with Davis after she is passed up for a promotion. And I mean, who doesn’t love Halle Berry, she was amazing as always.
I thought the story was great from the start, full of intrigue and anticipation ensuring it never felt boring. I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next, and for my money the final act was absolutely fantastic. As far as the story goes I also really liked that the film even showed the perspective of the jewelry store owner who even though they were the victim, the insurance company considered the possibility that they were in on such a well-planned heist. Bottom line, CRIME 101 is just a very well-rounded film with something for everyone.
THE VERDICT
A stylish crime thriller with a stacked cast helping to bring intriguing characters to life, CRIME 101 boasts old school heist film vibes and keeps the pedal down with an exhilarating and satisfying final act.
Whether we are talking about Heat, The Town, The Place Beyond the Pines, or Den of Thieves, I just love me a good heist thriller especially when it includes memorable characters. This is just my kind of movie. CRIME 101 is absolutely worth seeing in theaters, so check it out and enjoy the ride.
TED TAKES RATING - 8.4/10
CRIME 101 is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.