When a crime thriller arrives with a roster of stars like Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, and Corey Hawkins, expectations run high. But with Bart Layton at the helm—known for his mind-bending documentaries The Imposter and American Animals—the anticipation for Crime 101 was about more than just its cast. Both InSession Film and Mashable weighed in on the film’s February 2026 release, dissecting its blend of classic genre elements, compelling performances, and the director’s signature style. The result? A slick, suspenseful ride through the underbelly of Los Angeles, even if it doesn’t always hit as hard as Layton’s earlier work.
Crime 101 opens with Mike Davis, played by Chris Hemsworth, a professional jewel thief whose meticulous attention to detail sets the tone for the entire movie. According to InSession Film, Mike is "very detail oriented in his heists"—from his body hygiene routine to carefully scoping out targets, he leaves little for the police to investigate. His robberies along the 101 freeway are clean, non-violent, and almost invisible. Mike isn’t the type to flaunt his wealth; he prefers a low profile and a comfortable, unassuming lifestyle. This marks a stark departure from Hemsworth’s usual larger-than-life roles. As InSession Film notes, "Mike Davis is nothing like any of the roles and that’s why I really enjoyed him in the movie."
But every great thief needs a worthy adversary. Enter Detective Lou Lubesnick, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo. Lou is a veteran cop in the throes of a midlife crisis, grappling with divorce and the sense that he’s become obsolete at work. His colleagues mock him, and even his partner, Tillman (Corey Hawkins), suggests retirement. Yet Lou is doggedly committed to cracking the case of the 101 bandit, even as others dismiss his theories. Mashable describes Lou as having "the demeanor of a kicked street dog: guarded, alert, but hopeful for a change of fortune." Ruffalo’s performance, familiar from his many law enforcement roles, grounds the film in a gritty realism, channeling the desperation of a man with everything to prove.
The story takes a turn when Mike’s path crosses with Maya (Monica Barbaro) during a minor traffic accident. Mike tries to pay her off, but Maya insists on following proper channels. Their relationship quickly develops into something more intimate, with Maya’s warmth and sincerity drawing Mike out of his shell. As InSession Film points out, Barbaro "wins over the audience with her voice, personality, and her lack of ulterior motives for being in a relationship with Mike." This budding romance becomes a catalyst for Mike’s decision to attempt one final, lucrative heist before leaving his criminal life behind.
Yet, the queen on Layton’s "chessboard" is Sharon Coombs, played by Halle Berry. Sharon is a 53-year-old insurance broker who has spent her career protecting the assets of the wealthy elite. Despite her success, she’s hit the glass ceiling at her firm, repeatedly passed over for promotion and told she’s too old to advance. Mashable highlights Sharon’s struggles, noting that her partnership with Mike offers "a life-changing cut of the loot." Sharon’s motivations are deeply personal—she wants to prove her worth in a world that undervalues older women. Her alliance with Mike is less about greed and more about reclaiming agency in her own life.
Of course, not all criminals in Crime 101 play by the same rules. Barry Keoghan’s Ormon is a wild card—a young, hotheaded thief whose violent approach is the antithesis of Mike’s code. Keoghan, described by Mashable as having "a mug that oozes with snarls, snarks, and spit," injects chaos into the narrative. Where Mike is a "gentleman pirate," Ormon is a "time bomb," with no qualms about harming others. This contrast, as the review points out, "sets Mike up as an almost Robin Hood-like figure, minimizing the harm he's done by suggesting it could be worse." Ormon’s recklessness threatens to unravel Mike’s carefully constructed world, raising the stakes as the heist approaches.
Layton’s direction is unmistakable. Both reviews praise his ability to evoke a sense of danger and suspense without relying on over-the-top action or nostalgia. InSession Film notes, "Layton decides that none of those things are needed for his picture. He transports us back to a time where crime films were dark, suspenseful, and relied on good acting and an interesting story." The film’s visual style—neon-lit Los Angeles nights, tense car chases reminiscent of The Bourne Identity—immerses the audience in a world where every character is walking a tightrope.
Yet for all its strengths, Crime 101 isn’t without flaws. Both InSession Film and Mashable mention pacing issues and a relative scarcity of action scenes. Mashable observes, "the movie works fine, but it doesn't hit as hard or linger in my mind the way The Imposter and American Animals did." The emotional arcs—Lou’s desperation, Sharon’s age discrimination, Mike’s longing for a new life—add depth, but the film sometimes feels like it’s playing by Hollywood’s rules rather than Layton’s own.
Still, the movie’s themes resonate. It explores not just the mechanics of a heist, but the broader questions of greed, morality, and societal values. InSession Film reflects on the film’s commentary: "A lot of rich people are greedy, like to flaunt what they have and they don’t contribute anything of value to society." Sharon’s struggle with workplace ageism is particularly poignant, mirroring real-life challenges faced by many women in the workforce. As her manager bluntly tells her, "nobody wants to work with an old woman." This moment, and Sharon’s response, drives home the film’s critique of disposability and discrimination.
Ultimately, Crime 101 is a character-driven thriller that stands out for its performances and atmosphere, even if it doesn’t revolutionize the genre. It’s a film that invites comparisons to classics like Heat and Thief, but carves out its own identity through Layton’s nuanced storytelling and the chemistry of its cast. For fans of crime dramas, it’s a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, addition to the canon. And for Layton, it’s proof that he can play Hollywood’s game—though many, like Mashable’s Kristy Puchko, hope he’ll break the rules again next time.
In the end, Crime 101 delivers a tense, stylish journey through a world where everyone is chasing something—redemption, recognition, or just one last shot at freedom.