Crime 101 Review: Bart Layton Cooks Low and Slow with Chris Hemsworth in Tense Cat and Mouse Caper

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It’s easy to see parallels to the film Heat. Director Bart Layton’s new thriller focuses on a calculated thief (Chris Hemsworth) and the determined detective (Mark Ruffalo) trying to catch him, fitting into a tradition of cool, detail-focused crime stories. However, while based on a Don Winslow short story, this film is unique. It both evokes the classic Los Angeles crime novels of the 1970s and 80s and offers a fresh look at the city’s stark economic inequalities.

The new film, Crime 101, unfolds gradually, building suspense in a subtle way – much like a slowly simmering stew. In a time when most movies rely on quick cuts and constant action, this film’s deliberate pace is a welcome change. It demonstrates that you can create real tension without overwhelming the audience. It’s confidently itself, a refreshing contrast to the fast-paced, explosive action films that stars like Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry are known for.

Crime 101 Pleasurably Throws Back to an Era of Click-Clacking Process-Oriented Thrillers

Mike Davis isn’t naturally confident – a stark contrast to the bold, outgoing Thor he plays on screen. Chris Hemsworth portrays Mike as withdrawn and socially awkward, someone who avoids eye contact and struggles to talk to women, even relying on an escort service. Ironically, his skills come from being unable to connect with people. Unlike typical heist movie heroes who are usually charming and self-assured, Mike is constantly anxious and seems to struggle for breath.

Mike is responsible for a series of daring jewelry heists along the California coast, all near the 101 freeway. He’s careful to avoid establishing any predictable routines, but Detective Lou Lubesnick believes these previously unsolved cases are connected to a single thief. However, the LAPD doesn’t agree, and they’re reluctant to investigate because acknowledging a pattern would lower their reported success rate.

Lubesnick is almost the complete opposite of Mike. He’s a messy, unmotivated investigator who masks his unhappiness with heavy smoking and constantly putting himself down. It’s clear he’s become disillusioned by a police system that values following orders more than effective police work. The story suggests he’s refused to conform, which is a criticism of both the influence of money in public service and the police force’s tendency to prioritize protecting its own.

Following a near disaster on a job, Mike becomes more careful and tells his boss, Money, that he wants to cancel a planned robbery in Santa Barbara. Money secretly hires Ormon to do it instead, setting off a chain of events that ultimately leads to a chaotic confrontation involving Mike, Lubesnick, Ormon, and Sharon, an insurance salesperson who caters to the very rich.

For these characters, Mike’s near-death experience forces them to reconsider what truly matters in life. The story gently challenges the idea that wealth is the only path to happiness, a message that feels particularly relevant given current economic challenges. While this theme doesn’t always come across seamlessly – the story also focuses quite a bit on Mike’s growing connection with Maya – it’s a core idea explored throughout.

Mike is presented as such a mystery that it’s almost comical to watch Maya try to find good qualities in him. While Hemsworth does a great job with the role, his character is remarkably unreadable, almost completely devoid of personality – he can’t even name a favorite musician! It’s a testament to Hemsworth’s skill that he makes the character believable despite this. All four main actors have excellent chemistry, both with each other and in their individual performances, and Keoghan is particularly unsettling as a creepy, otherworldly villain.

The film truly shines through its portrayal of Berry, demonstrating the allure of challenging established norms. A highly successful businesswoman, she’s sacrificed personal fulfillment for her career, only to be met with blatant sexism from her superiors. As she becomes involved with Mike, the film wonderfully depicts her journey as her entire sense of self and her worldview rapidly fall apart.

While not perfect, Crime 101 is often successful and stands out as a genuinely thrilling, original crime film reminiscent of the classics from the New Hollywood era. It offers valuable lessons in filmmaking – particularly in its willingness to break from tradition and its thoughtful, unhurried approach.

Crime 101 opens theatrically on February 13th, 2026.

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2026-02-11 18:58