With the glitz of Hollywood’s awards season in full swing, a different kind of anticipation is brewing among moviegoers: the release of Crime 101, an action-packed heist thriller starring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo. Set to hit theaters worldwide on February 13, 2026, this film is already turning heads, thanks to a wave of early critical reactions and the star power behind—and in front of—the camera.
From the outset, Crime 101 has been hailed as a throwback to the gritty, character-driven crime dramas of the 1990s. Critics and fans alike have drawn comparisons to the works of Michael Mann, the director behind classics like Heat, Collateral, and Thief. Scott Menzel, writing for MovieWeb, summed up the prevailing sentiment: “Crime 101 feels like a crime thriller ripped straight out of the early 90s and I mean that as the highest compliment. The entire cast is excellent, carrying that old-school charm and energy that took me right back to watching movies like this with my mom and dad.”
That sense of nostalgia isn’t accidental. In interviews with Pinkvilla and other outlets, Chris Hemsworth himself has emphasized what drew him to the project. “I read the script and loved it because it felt like a real throwback to 90s thrillers,” Hemsworth explained. “There was a sort of nostalgia to the story that you don’t see too much these days.” He went on to credit director Bart Layton as a key reason for signing on, saying, “I was a fan of Bart’s work and loved American Animals. It was a very character-driven drama with elaborate intersecting storylines. After our first meeting, I thought not only has he written an incredibly compelling script, but he also has a brilliant vision for the film.”
Layton, known for his documentary background and the critically acclaimed American Animals and The Imposter, brings a distinct sensibility to Crime 101. According to critic Bill Bria, “#Crime101 pays homage to the works of crime poets Mann & Hill, but without the poetry. Instead, Bart Layton brings his documentary background to bear on a no-nonsense tale of middle age ennui, where the job is less about wealth & more about escaping life’s failures. Killer cast!”
The film’s plot, based on a novella by Don Winslow, centers on Mike Davis (Hemsworth), a notorious thief infamous for his daring heists along the Los Angeles 101 highway. Davis is plotting one last, high-stakes job: a diamond heist in the heart of LA. But he’s not the only one with eyes on the prize. Halle Berry’s Sharon Colvin, an insurance broker with her own motives, teams up with Davis, forming a masterful duo of jewel thieves. Meanwhile, Mark Ruffalo’s Lou Lubesnick, a relentless detective, is hot on their trail, piecing together clues in a tense cat-and-mouse chase that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
The film’s ensemble cast is another major draw. Alongside Hemsworth, Ruffalo, and Berry, audiences will see performances from Monica Barbaro, Barry Keoghan, Devon Bostick, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte. Early reviews have singled out several of these actors for praise. Courtney Howard, for instance, called Crime 101 “a love letter to Michael Mann’s character-driven crime thrillers,” highlighting Berry’s “all-timer monologue” and Keoghan’s “dirtbag on a dirt bike” as particularly memorable. “Mark Ruffalo’s fantastic. Barry Keoghan’s dirtbag on a dirt bike is unpredictable. Halle Berry’s all-timer monologue earns our applause. Monica Barbaro is radiant,” Howard wrote.
But not every critic is entirely sold. Jonathan Sim, while acknowledging the film’s commitment to old-school style, noted, “Crime 101 takes far too long to become interesting. Too many storylines that all feel pedestrian.” Still, he conceded that the movie “roars to life every time Barry Keoghan's unhinged character arrives on screen. An excellent final act.”
Despite these minor criticisms, the consensus remains largely positive. Dustin Putman described the film as “a top-notch crime thriller of brooding style, thoughtful moralistic inquiries, and lively character work, a delicious throwback to the kind of intelligent, adult-oriented studio fare Hollywood used to make. Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry are MVPs. See it.”
For Hemsworth, Crime 101 marks another bold step in an already illustrious career. Over the years, he’s become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, with roles ranging from Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to his turn in Rush, Extraction, and even lending his voice to Transformers One in 2024. Yet, as he’s quick to point out, the decision to join Crime 101 wasn’t about reuniting with Ruffalo, his fellow Marvel alum. “I went through the script and found it captivating because it reminded me of 90s thrillers,” Hemsworth told Zoom News. “Meeting the director was a fascinating experience for me, as I had admired many of his past projects. I realized that not only had the director crafted an extraordinarily engaging script, but he also possessed a remarkable vision for the film.”
As the release date draws closer, the marketing push from Amazon MGM Studios has ramped up, with trailers and posters teasing the film’s moody visuals and high-stakes drama. The film’s blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling seems designed to appeal both to fans of classic crime cinema and a new generation hungry for intelligent, character-driven stories.
And what about the future? Hemsworth fans won’t have to wait long for his next big-screen appearance—he’s set to return as Thor in Avengers: Doomsday this December. But for now, all eyes are on Crime 101, a film that looks set to rekindle the magic of old-school thrillers while carving out its own place in the genre.
With its killer cast, clever script, and a director at the top of his game, Crime 101 is shaping up to be a must-see for anyone who loves a good heist—and a great story.