Crime 101 is a sleek but familiar crime thriller elevated by a stellar cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, and Mark Ruffalo.
Hemsworth plays Davis, a meticulous high-end jewelry thief who has evaded law enforcement for years. The only one convinced that the robberies along Los Angeles’ 101 freeway are the work of a single mastermind is Detective Lou Lubesnick (Ruffalo), who obsessively connects the dots others fail to see.
Directed by Bart Layton (American Animals), Layton avoids some of the usual heist-movie clichés. Davis operates as a lone wolf rather than part of a flashy crew, and Hemsworth smartly plays against type. Though polished and physically imposing, his Davis is socially awkward and emotionally detached — a refreshing twist on the hyper-confident master thief archetype.
Like most entries in the genre, Crime 101 opens with a tightly executed, high-tension robbery. But momentum slows as the film expands to introduce Detective Lou and Shannon (Halle Berry), an ambitious insurance broker desperate to make partner and stuck in a career rut. The three narrative threads take time to converge, and the delayed intersection dampens the early urgency.
When Barry Keoghan enters as a volatile loose cannon, the energy jolts back to life. His unpredictable presence injects the film with the danger it occasionally lacks.
While Crime 101 attempts to reshape the modern crime thriller, it stumbles in fully embracing its noir roots. The genre’s strongest entries use setting and music as characters in their own right. Here, Los Angeles feels underutilized. Aside from glossy beachfront shots, the city lacks personality. Films like Heat and Collateral, both directed by Michael Mann, transform L.A. into a living, breathing backdrop. Likewise, Drive by Nicolas Winding Refn pairs atmosphere with a pulsating soundtrack that enhances its mood. Crime 101 never quite finds that sonic or visual identity. Its soundtrack, while serviceable, doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
As a native Angeleno, I crave films that capture the city’s unique textures beyond postcard imagery — something this film only hints at.
Supporting players Monica Barbaro and Corey Hawkins aren’t given enough character development, functioning largely as love interests, and one character fades from the narrative entirely after Act II.
Crime 101 may not check every genre box, but the performances — particularly Hemsworth and Keoghan — keep you invested.
Crime 101 is now playing in theaters.
