Crime 101 Movie Review
Nathan Swank
February 14th, 2026
A master jewel thief… Okay, I’m going to stop right there, because I’m sold.
A relentless detective… Oh my gosh! I’m sold already! You can stop sweetening the deal.
A cat and mouse game about a thief with a strong ethical code and a detective that is figuring out the pattern despite his colleagues and boss thinking his theory of the non-violent thefts on highway 101 all belonging to the same guy is absolutely insane is a movie trope that I am here for 100 percent of the time.
Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed gritty crime novella, CRIME 101 takes me back to those awesome movies from the 90’s that knew how to create a cops and robbers genre. Michael Mann’s HEAT might be the crowning jewel of this genre and director Bart Layton is clearly inspired by that film with even little touches that are almost lifted directly from it. And that’s a good thing. Obviously, CRIME 101 is not up to that high quality standard of crime thrillers, but it is definitely capturing some of that exquisite energy and essence. More films should try to emulate HEAT, because I will eat up any dish resembling that masterpiece.
Reuniting from their Marvel Avengers days, Chris Hemsworth plays the conscientious criminal and Mark Ruffalo plays the downtrodden detective. So Thor and Hulk are at it again and bring that same chemistry. Joining them is Halle Berry, an insurance agent getting passed up as a long overdue partner at her place of business that finds her way connected to both ends of the criminal and cop. Barry Keoghan plays a hot headed, motorcycle riding thief whose mean and messy tactics are opposite to Hemsworth’s clean and planned style. And then there’s Nick Nolte, who pops in a couple of times as the head guy who hires these “bad guys” to pull off these heists.
I really loved everything about CRIME 101. The acting, the writing, the directing choices and pacing all add up to a thrilling crime drama that has sorely been missing in the regular rotation of Hollywood movie making. Yeah some of it is kind of silly, but that’s what also makes it awesome. Hemsworth and Ruffalo nail their roles and the director knows exactly how to keep the audience by opening and closing the film with intriguing characters through exciting heists. Sign me up for more movies like CRIME 101 please.
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