The first great crime movie of 2026 appears to be upon us, as Bart Layton’s adaptation of Don Winslow’s 2020 novella Crime 101 has debuted to rave reviews. The first batch of verified critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes yielded a rare 100% fresh score, and while subsequent additions have pulled it away from perfection, it still boasts an extremely strong score for a crime thriller.
Crime 101 follows a jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) who commits heists along the 101 freeway in Los Angeles whose plans align with those of a beleaguered insurance agent (the recently revitalized Halle Berry). As their plots unfold, they’re chased by a sharp detective (Mark Ruffalo) determined to stop the next heist before it happens.
The crime thriller is positively loaded with talent in front of the camera in addition to the aforementioned stars, although early expectations online were those of a run-of-the-mill modern crime story. As it turns out, critics are applauding it as a top-of-the-line crime movie, and sifting through the reviews reveals there are several common elements they’ve reacted to.
6
The Star-Studded Cast Is Excellent
In addition to Hemsworth, Berry, and Ruffalo, the cast of Crime 101 has a supporting cast loaded with Oscar nominees and other celebrated actors. Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin) has a major role as a psychopathic biker at odds with Hemsworth’s thief Mike Davis, while Nick Nolte (Warrior), Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton), and Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight) all have meaningful roles.
Critics agree that the entire cast is fully bought-in with their performances, but Hemsworth, Berry, and Ruffalo are the standouts in the film. Owen Gleiberman of Variety called it one of Hemworth’s best performances in no uncertain terms, while others applauded Ruffalo’s grizzled veteran detective as the other half of the cat-and-mouse game with Hemsworth.
5
The Characters Are Well-Written And Complex
Part of what makes the actors stand out in Crime 101 is the fact that they get to work with characters that are well-fleshed-out. George Simpson of the Daily Express noted that, “what makes Crime 101 so good is that the heart-racing thrills are complemented by a great script full of morally complex characters.”
As the main protagonist is a jewel thief, there is a built-in level of complexity for the audience, as we are meant to root for the characters attempting heists. On the other side, Ruffalo’s detective isn’t the most straight-and-narrow of law enforcers, leaving room for each performer to build layers onto their respective characters. Layton’s adaptation of the source material is executed well enough that the characters are worth caring about.
4
It Evokes Crime Heist Classics
While some critics labeled it as a bug not a feature, most agree that Crime 101‘s reliance on crime tropes from classics like Collateral, Thief, or The Thomas Crown Affair largely works in the movie’s favor. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Reviews said in his analysis that “…it might utilize a well-known formula, but in a time where it’s a rarity for this kind of movie to get released in theaters, Layton’s latest is a welcome addition to the genre.“
Comparisons to Michael Mann’s 1995 genre staple Heat abound within the bevy of reviews currently available, but again that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Fans of the iconic classic will undoubtedly be pleased by Layton’s sleek adaptation, and if there is any movie that a modern crime thriller should strive to emulate, Heat is as good a target as any.
3
There Is A Gritty Neo-Noir Feel To It
Part of the reason that critics agree the movie evokes crime classics is because Layton and his team have leaned into a true neo-Noir aethetic for the story. Randy Myers of the San Jose Mercury News highlighted the work of cinematographer Erik Wilson in particular, saying that he, “makes L.A. sleek, sexy and rough around the edges and that contributes in giving it a sleepless feel.“
Those rough edges apply to the characters just as much as the setting, helping to manufacture a distinct style to the movie that will satisfy even genre purists who hold the black-and-white classics of the 1940s and 1950s as the gold standard. Critics seem to agree it helps Crime 101 stand out in the modern cinema space that typically relies on mor explosive action in the crime threiller subgenre.
2
The Narrative Is A Well-Executed Slow Burn
Screen Rant’s own Gregory Nussen said in his review that part of Crime 101‘s appeal is the fact that it doesn’t rely on the explosive action and heavy-handed exposition that are so often staples of crime movies. As Nussen noted, “This is a purposefully languid movie that proves real, genuine tension can be built without crash landing right on your head​​​​​​​.”
Multiple critics did point out that the 140-minute runtime of Crime 101 may have been a bit too long, but the intentional slow burn of the narrative is part of what makes the movie work so well. The story is still punctuated by well-executed action scenes, particularly a top-flight car chase, but overall the movie is designed to burn low and slow as it builds tension.
1
It’s An Entertaining Crime Thriller
Perhaps most importantly, Crime 101 is a good time at the movies. A crime thriller in particular needs to ensure that the audience is engaged and exhilarated throughout, and critics appear to agree that there is plenty of fun to be had, especially for those with an affinity for crime classics.
While admitting there was a reliance on classic crime movie tropes, Collider‘s Aidan Kelley noted that “the overall result is a thrilling ride that’s fun to watch, from its quietest character moments to its loudest chase sequences.” Crime 101 is officially in theaters everywhere on February 12th, and could have some staying power beyond Valentine’s Day weekend if the early reviews are any indication.
- Release Date
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February 13, 2026
- Runtime
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140 Minutes
- Director
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Bart Layton
