With the sun-bleached sprawl of Los Angeles as its backdrop and a cast boasting Hollywood heavyweights, Bart Layton’s adaptation of Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella Crime 101 is poised to electrify the big screen this February. After years of anticipation—and a few industry hurdles—audiences will finally get to witness the high-stakes game of cat and mouse when Crime 101 debuts in theaters and IMAX on February 13, 2026, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios and Sony’s global distribution efforts.
The journey to this moment hasn’t been without drama. Nearly three years ago, Amazon clinched the distribution rights in a fierce bidding war, shelling out a reported $90 million to secure the film for North American audiences, while Sony took the reins internationally, according to ScreenRealm. But progress stalled as Hollywood weathered the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, delaying production and pushing the release further down the calendar. Now, with the dust settled, the film’s marketing machine has kicked into high gear, dropping trailers and posters that have only stoked the fires of anticipation.
So, what’s all the excitement about? Crime 101 spins the tale of Davis, an elusive jewel thief played by Chris Hemsworth, whose string of meticulously executed heists along the iconic 101 freeway has left law enforcement scratching their heads. Hemsworth’s thief isn’t your run-of-the-mill criminal—he’s cool, calculated, and always a step ahead. As the trailer teases, he “hits jewels, cash, and high value items. He knows exactly what they transport and when. There’s no DNA, he’s in and out in seconds,” as explained by Mark Ruffalo’s relentless detective Lou, according to Decider.
But Davis isn’t the only one at a crossroads. Halle Berry stars as Sharon, a disillusioned insurance broker whose own life is teetering on the edge. When Davis sets his sights on one final, massive score—the kind that could let him disappear forever—his path collides with Sharon’s, forcing the two into an uneasy alliance. As the stakes climb, Ruffalo’s Detective Lou closes in, convinced he’s finally cracked the thief’s untraceable pattern. The result? A tense, three-way standoff where the line between hunter and hunted grows ever blurrier, and each character is forced to confront the cost of their choices.
“Certain people just bring out not just the best in you, but also sort of a comfort level where it feels like it’s a place to explore and it’s a place to examine different ideas and try different things. And that was the experience [with Berry]. I loved every second of it,” Hemsworth said of his on-screen dynamic with Berry, as reported by ScreenRealm. The chemistry between the leads is just one of many reasons the film has garnered such buzz.
The cast list doesn’t stop there. Alongside Hemsworth, Berry, and Ruffalo, viewers can expect to see standout performances from Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte. The ensemble brings depth and nuance to a narrative that’s as much about personal reckoning as it is about criminal cunning.
Bart Layton, known for his genre-blurring work on American Animals and The Imposter, both writes and directs. His signature style—melding fact and fiction to keep audiences guessing—shines through in the film’s pulse-pounding trailer. The tension is palpable, with the story promising to push its characters (and viewers) to the brink. As Vital Thrills notes, “As the multimillion-dollar heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are forced to confront the cost of their choices—and the realization that there’s no turning back.”
Adapted from Winslow’s 2021 novella, Crime 101 has been described as a “masterclass in tension.” The film’s 139-minute runtime (some listings round up to 140) ensures audiences will have plenty of time to soak in the atmospheric grit of Los Angeles, the intricacies of the heist, and the psychological chess match at its core. According to ScreenRealm and Vital Thrills, the film is rated R for language, some violence, and sexual material/nudity—a sign that it won’t be pulling any punches when it comes to the realities of its world.
The production itself is a heavyweight affair. The movie is a joint effort between Working Title, RAW, and Wild State, in association with The Story Factory. Producers include Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Derrin Schlesinger, Dimitri Doganis, Bart Layton, Shane Salerno, Chris Hemsworth himself, and Benjamin Grayson, with a roster of executive producers backing the project. This level of behind-the-scenes firepower is matched only by the film’s on-screen talent.
Fans eager to catch Crime 101 won’t have long to wait. The film opens in Australian cinemas on February 12, 2026, and hits U.S. theaters and IMAX screens the following day. While the streaming release date remains under wraps, the film’s distribution by Amazon MGM Studios suggests it will eventually land on Prime Video or MGM+, though not before a window for digital purchase and rental. If previous Amazon releases are any indication, it could be several months before the heist thriller is available for streaming, as Decider points out.
It’s worth noting that the road to release wasn’t entirely smooth. Pedro Pascal was originally tapped to play the detective, but had to step aside due to scheduling conflicts with another major project, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Mark Ruffalo, fresh off his work on Avengers: Doomsday, stepped into the role, bringing his own brand of intensity and gravitas to the part. As for the supporting cast, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out a lineup that’s as varied as it is talented.
For those who love a good crime thriller—especially one that’s equal parts cerebral and suspenseful—Crime 101 looks set to deliver. The film promises not just slick heists and high-octane chases, but a deeper look at the choices that define us, the thin line between right and wrong, and the ever-present possibility of redemption or ruin. With a visionary director, a stellar cast, and a story that refuses to play by the rules, this is one heist you won’t want to miss.
As the lights dim and the first frames flicker on screen this February, audiences will be left to wonder: in a city built on second chances, who will walk away with the score of a lifetime—and who will pay the ultimate price?
