Crime 101 (United Kingdom/United States, 2026)

Bart Layton’s Crime 101, his first narrative feature in eight years, falls squarely into the category of movies that should be better than they are. With an ensemble cast of this caliber—featuring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, and Nick Nolte—the quality of the production seems almost guaranteed. The opening gambit, centered on a meticulously planned diamond heist, effectively catches the attention, and the film’s gradual buildup over the next 90+ minutes successfully interweaves three seemingly unconnected, parallel timelines. However, when it comes time for the narrative payoff, the film disappoints. While the climax does not lack for action, the overall resolution feels flaccid and undercooked. The final 15 minutes or so left me wondering about the absence of a true, hard-earned crescendo.

It is worth considering whether Layton, in adapting Don Winslow’s novella, was channeling the work of Quentin Tarantino and Michael Mann. There are certainly stylistic nods to both filmmakers, and I found myself thinking of Jackie Brown on more than one occasion. But Tarantino and Mann are masters of the delivery; they know how to satisfy an audience when the clock runs out. Layton does a commendable job with the slow-burn buildup, but when the moment finally arrives to bring it all together, he fumbles it. Perhaps the problem lies in the source material, which I haven't read, but I left the theater feeling deeply unsatisfied with how the story ultimately played out. Furthermore, the inclusion of a pretentious "spiritual" voiceover did not take long to grate on my nerves.

The story follows three main characters whose lives are destined to intersect. Mike Davis (Chris Hemsworth) is the mysterious "101 Thief," a phantom who has executed a string of unsolved heists up and down California’s Highway 101. His M.O. is remarkably consistent: the robberies are always perfectly planned, he leaves almost nothing in the way of tangible evidence, and he makes it a point never to hurt anyone. Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) is the rumpled cop assigned to catch him. Although Lou believes he has decoded the basics of the 101 Thief's patterns, he receives very little support from his cynical partner, Rick (Corey Hawkins), and his increasingly impatient captain (Matthew Del Negro). Meanwhile, insurance broker Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry) has been assigned by her agency boss to investigate Mike’s latest caper with the primary goal of finding any excuse to avoid a massive payout.

Subplots abound throughout the film, enriching the characters and the broader tapestry into which they are woven. Mike becomes enamored with a woman named Maya (Monica Barbaro, recently seen as Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown), whom he "meets cute" during a minor fender-bender. Lou finds himself in the throes of a difficult separation from his unfaithful wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh), adding a layer of domestic weariness to his character. Sharon’s arc reveals that, as a 53-year-old woman in a man’s business, she is being consistently passed over for promotion to partner despite clearly deserving the position based on merit. Meanwhile, Mike’s financier (Nick Nolte) begins to think his partner may be losing his nerve. To ensure the jobs are finished, he brings on board a hungry young hotshot named Ormon (Barry Keoghan). Ormon’s methods are brutal and messy, but there is no denying that he gets the job done.

In terms of the performances, Chris Hemsworth is the one venturing furthest from his established comfort zone. The Thor actor is surprisingly believable as a somewhat timid criminal whose gentle methods and cautious approach make him an atypical figure in the violent world in which he thrives. Mark Ruffalo has played so many offbeat roles in recent years—most memorably for Yorgos Lanthimos in Poor Things—that there is nothing odd about seeing him as a detective who appears even more rumpled than Columbo. It also doesn't hurt that he and Hemsworth are "old buddies" from their Marvel movies, which lends an interesting meta-layer to their pursuit. Halle Berry exudes the cool, steel-plated self-confidence we have come to expect from her. Barry Keoghan is suitably unhinged and volatile as Ormon, while Nick Nolte provides a presence that is almost satanic in its intensity.

We know from the beginning that Mike, Lou, and Sharon are on an inevitable collision course, with Ormon thrown in as a wild card to further stir the pot. Layton is patient with the material and doesn't rush their interactions, allowing the story to unfold at a gradual, deliberate pace. This creates a growing expectation for something truly memorable once the situation finally boils over. But unfortunately, that spark never catches. Because of what is missing in that final act, it is difficult to elevate Crime 101 above many of the other mediocre early-year openings that currently surround it on the release calendar.

Crime 101 (United Kingdom/United States, 2026)