LONDON — Crime 101 is a new crime thriller directed by Bart Layton. The film is based on a novella by Don Winslow. It delivers a cat and mouse drama led by an ensemble cast. The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry.
The film premiered in London on January 28, 2026. It had a U.S. release on February 13 through Amazon MGM Studios. The film has a reported budget of $90 million. It has earned $57.2 million worldwide to date. Crime 101 centers on a disciplined jewel thief operating along the Highway 101 corridor in California.
Premise of the Thriller
The film is set primarily in Los Angeles. It follows Mike Davis, who is an elusive and methodical jewel thief. He orchestrates robberies to avoid violence and forensic detection.
Davis targets high value diamond shipments. He avoids leaving DNA evidence. He uses Route 101 as part of his calculated escape strategy. During one operation involving a diamond delivery, he intercepts $3 million in genuine stones. The heist does not unfold entirely as planned.
Law Enforcement Investigation
Mark Ruffalo portrays LAPD Detective Lou Lubesnick. He begins linking the diamond theft to a broader string of unsolved robberies. Lubesnick theorizes a single suspect is responsible. His conclusions initially face skepticism. The investigation gradually narrows around Davis. The film builds tension through investigative detail and strategic maneuvering.
Expanding Conflict and Plot Threads
Complications arise as Davis prepares another robbery. A volatile associate carries out a separate violent heist. A fence attempts to interfere with the next move of Davis. A hacker provides intelligence tied to a high end insurance broker. These intersecting threads create mounting pressure on both sides of the law.
Production and Cast Details
The film features several notable actors in addition to Hemsworth and Ruffalo:
- Barry Keoghan
- Monica Barbaro
- Corey Hawkins
- Jennifer Jason Leigh
- Nick Nolte
- Halle Berry
Bart Layton directed and wrote the film. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Working Title Films. The cinematography was handled by Erik Wilson and the score was composed by Blanck Mass.
Critical Reception and Box Office
The film has received generally positive reviews from critics. Praise focused on the performances and the controlled pacing. The global gross of $57.2 million trails the production budget. Analysts note the streaming distribution and international rollout of the film could influence long term performance.
Final Take on the Film
Crime 101 presents a measured and character driven crime thriller. It is rooted in precision and psychological tension. The film positions itself as a modern entry into the heist genre. It emphasizes discipline, calculation, and consequence.