Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth Face Off in Standard Crime Thriller "Crime 101"

The film follows a thief who robs jewelry stores near the 101 freeway in Los Angeles, with a detective determined to bring him down.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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"Crime 101" follows Mike Davis (Chris Hemsworth), a thief who robs jewelry stores near the 101 freeway in Los Angeles. Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) is determined to bring Mike down, despite his superiors looking the other way. As Mike's plans intersect with insurance broker Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry), matters become more complicated when Mike's boss Money (Nick Nolte) brings in the violent and unhinged Ormon (Barry Keoghan) to tail Mike.

Why it matters

"Crime 101" is a standard crime thriller that doesn't reinvent the genre, but it features strong performances from its lead actors Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo. The film's Los Angeles setting and distinct mood draw comparisons to the work of director Michael Mann, though it never quite reaches the heights of its influences.

The details

The film, written and directed by Bart Layton, adapts Don Winslow's novella of the same name. It juggles multiple plotlines and characters, with varying degrees of success. While the scenes involving Ruffalo's detective and Hemsworth's thief are engaging, the supporting characters and their storylines feel underdeveloped. The 140-minute runtime is felt, as some subplots, like a romantic subplot between Mike and Maya (Monica Barbaro), slow down the pacing.

  • "Crime 101" will be released in theaters nationwide on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

The players

Mike Davis

A thief who robs jewelry stores near the 101 freeway in Los Angeles, played by Chris Hemsworth.

Detective Lou Lubesnick

A detective determined to bring Mike Davis down, played by Mark Ruffalo.

Sharon Colvin

An insurance broker whose plans intersect with Mike Davis, played by Halle Berry.

Money

Mike Davis' boss, played by Nick Nolte.

Ormon

A violent and unhinged individual brought in by Money to tail Mike Davis, played by Barry Keoghan.

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The takeaway

"Crime 101" is a standard crime thriller that doesn't break new ground, but features strong performances from its lead actors Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo. While the film's Los Angeles setting and distinct mood draw comparisons to the work of director Michael Mann, it ultimately falls short of the heights of its influences.