by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
I honestly hadn’t even heard of Crime 101 until the trailer dropped last month, but once it did, I was in. With a cast stacked full of people I genuinely enjoy watching, my expectations weren’t sky-high, but they were definitely there. This was a movie I already knew I wanted to see and overall, it delivered exactly what it promised.
The film follows Mike (Chris Hemsworth), a meticulous jewel thief who operates under a strict personal code. He’s careful, disciplined, and calculated; the kind of criminal who prides himself on control. On his trail is Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo), a grizzled, stubborn detective who refuses to let the case go. Rounding out the core trio is Sharon Coombs (Halle Berry), an insurance broker entangled in Mike’s orbit as he plans a multi-million-dollar heist. When a job goes sideways, Mike attempts to step back and cool off; but his fence, played by Nick Nolte, has other plans, bringing in the volatile Ormon (Barry Keoghan) to force the next run.
On the surface, Crime 101 feels very Heat-adjacent, though it never tries to be a copy. The bones are familiar: cops and criminals circling one another, professional obsession, codes versus chaos, but the film establishes its own rhythm and identity. What truly keeps it engaging across its two-and-a-half-hour runtime is the strength of the performances.
Hemsworth is a standout here. As Mike, he balances cool precision with flashes of vulnerability. There’s something almost boyish in the way he retreats inward during moments of doubt, which contrasts nicely with his physical presence and confidence. Watching him wrestle with his own rules and occasionally breaking them, which adds depth to what could’ve been a one-note role. He continues to prove why he works so well as a leading man and how much he’s grown as an actor.
Ruffalo, as always, delivers. Lubesnick is gruff, relentless, and deeply worn down by the job. The character feels like a man whose entire identity is wrapped up in the chase, and Ruffalo sells that exhaustion beautifully. You can feel how much this case has consumed him, especially as the film nears its end.
Berry gives a solid, grounded performance as Sharon, particularly in moments that highlight her character’s frustration and desire for a fresh start, including a memorable scene with her misogynistic boss played by Paul Adelstein. Keoghan brings his usual intensity to Ormon, a reckless counterpoint to Mike’s calculated approach. It’s familiar territory for him, but he still makes it work.
Monica Barbaro appears as Maya, Mike’s love interest, and while their scenes together are charming and offer moments of levity, the character ultimately doesn’t add much to the story beyond emotional contrast.
In the end, Crime 101 is a sleek, stylish noir thriller built from familiar elements — but thanks to strong performances and confident direction, it remains engaging enough that you barely feel its lengthy runtime.
Rating: High Side Of Liked It.
Crime 101 is currently in theaters.
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