Crime 101 movie hits theaters with a tense L.A. heist showdown

The Crime 101 movie opened in theaters on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, bringing a sleek, Los Angeles–set jewel-heist thriller to the Presidents’ Day weekend corridor. The film pairs a meticulous thief with a hard-charging detective and an insurance broker at a breaking point—an adult-skewing, character-forward crime story arriving as audiences keep showing up for star-driven thrillers that play well on the big screen.

With its release now underway, the early conversation has centered on mood, craft, and whether its slow-burn approach can translate into strong mainstream turnout over the holiday frame.

Crime 101: what the story is about

Set along Southern California’s iconic 101 corridor, the film follows a disciplined jewel thief, Mike Davis, whose methodical robberies have frustrated law enforcement for months. The case lands on the desk of detective Lou Lubesnick, who believes he’s finally cracked the pattern—just as Davis begins planning what he hopes will be his last and biggest score.

The third point of the triangle is Sharon Coombs, an overlooked insurance broker whose own life has hit a wall. When circumstances push her into Davis’s orbit, their interests collide in a way that turns a simple cat-and-mouse setup into something messier: ambition, resentment, and professional pride all pulling the characters toward decisions they can’t easily walk back from.

Cast, director, and adaptation roots

Crime 101 is adapted from a Don Winslow novella and written and directed by Bart Layton, who has built a reputation for precise, reality-tinged storytelling. The cast is stacked with recognizable names: Chris Hemsworth plays Davis; Mark Ruffalo plays Lubesnick; Halle Berry plays Coombs. The supporting lineup includes Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte.

The performances are central to what the film is trying to do. Rather than leaning on twisty plotting alone, it invests time in how each character rationalizes their choices—why a thief might see himself as disciplined, why a detective might treat the job like a personal crusade, and why a broker might decide the system isn’t going to reward her unless she forces the issue.

What early reactions focus on

The broad themes in early reactions have been consistent: the film’s atmosphere is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. Los Angeles is shot as both glamorous and isolating—sun-bleached days, neon nights, long stretches of freeway, and the hum of a city that never fully quiets down. That sense of place fits a story about professionals—on both sides of the law—who take pride in doing things “the right way,” even when their lives are unraveling.

The other recurring point is pace. This is not a nonstop action ride. It’s more interested in tension, surveillance, and small choices that snowball. For some viewers, that restraint is the appeal; for others, it may feel like the movie is holding back when they expect bigger set pieces. The weekend performance will help show which audience wins out.

Key release details at a glance

Box office stakes and what comes next

Holiday weekends can be forgiving for adult thrillers: strong word-of-mouth can build from Friday to Monday, and repeat business can kick in if audiences feel they’re getting something stylish and well-made. For Crime 101, the test is whether its moody, character-first approach breaks out beyond crime-thriller fans and into the broader crowd looking for a smart mainstream night out.

Looking ahead, two things will shape the film’s second-week trajectory. First: how well it holds screens once the next wave of releases lands. Second: whether audiences talk more about the characters—or about the set pieces. If the conversation sticks to tension, performances, and the Los Angeles vibe, it can play like a “grown-up” alternative in a crowded marketplace. If viewers want faster momentum, it may perform best as a niche hit with strong appeal to noir and heist devotees.

Either way, Crime 101 movie arrives with clear intent: a classy, tense, big-city crime story built on professionals doing dangerous work—until the rules they live by stop protecting them.