Crime 101: Hemsworth steers a stylish, Michael Mann-tinged heist thriller
Chris Hemsworth headlines Crime 101, a sleek, high-stakes robbery picture from director Bart Layton that channels elements of classic Los Angeles crime cinema. Adapted from a novella by Don Winslow, the film pairs precise action choreography with glossy visuals, placing a premium on control, cool and the promise of a final big score.
A polished heist with Mann-esque momentum
Crime 101 slams the pedal down on a tight, propulsive narrative. The filmmaker leans into a kinetic style that will feel familiar to those who know the city’s cinematic shorthand — long stretches of road, immaculate cars and crimes executed with almost balletic precision. The film borrows certain kinetic and stylistic cues often associated with high-octane LA crime pictures: nocturnal cityscapes, taut pacing and an emphasis on the choreography of theft.
Layton trims away some of the indirect formalism present in his earlier work and pushes forward with a more direct thriller engine. The result is an entertainingly brisk picture that focuses on the mechanics of heists and the psychology of a master thief who prizes control above all. The film’s visual appetite for speed and design often outpaces its social commentary, touching on the city’s homeless population in ways that feel serviceable rather than fully engaged.
Performances: cool precision and simmering tension
Hemsworth plays Mike, a highly groomed, controlled thief whose operations run like clockwork. He moves through heists with the assurance of a consummate professional — sleek cars, Glock handguns and an almost surgical approach to robbery. The film frames him as the archetypal “one last job” protagonist: a man drawn toward a final, clean exit with significant walkaway money on offer.
The supporting cast sketches a set of contrasting figures who steer and unsettle Mike’s world. An elder mentor known simply as Money provides the seasoned, leathery guidance that keeps the crew disciplined. Opposite him is a younger, erratic contender whose impulsive temperament threatens to overturn the careful plans. A single, dogged cop — dishevelled but sharp — tracks an apparent pattern of Route 101 robberies and functions as the moral fulcrum. Meanwhile, an insurance agent drawn into Mike’s orbit becomes a key facilitator for a large, potentially career-ending score, and a romantic partner remains in the dark about his criminal life, raising stakes on the personal front.
On balance, the ensemble gives the material a tense human core. The film does best when it lets small interactions and terse performances drive suspense, rather than leaning solely on spectacle. The dynamic between the old mentor and the new, unpredictable muscle creates a ticking tension that gives the final act emotional and physical peril.
Release timing and audience expectations
Crime 101 is set to open in major markets in mid-February, with releases scheduled for 12 February in Australia and 13 February in the UK and US (ET). The timing positions the film to attract audiences seeking a polished, star-driven thriller in the post-award-season window.
Early commentary frames the film as a stylish entry in the heist canon: entertaining, sharply designed and anchored by a confident lead performance. Critics note that while the movie delivers the thrills and aesthetic pleasures of a top-tier robbery picture, its attempts at social observation occasionally feel cursory. For viewers drawn to methodical capers, sleek production design and fast cars, Crime 101 offers a satisfyingly glossy ride. For those hoping for deeper urban critique, the film may leave some threads underexplored.
Either way, Crime 101 is likely to be discussed for its visual bravado and Hemsworth’s turn as a thief who values control above almost everything — until the job complicates his exit strategy.
