Crime 101 Review: Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo Lead a Slick Old-School Noir Thriller

Crime 101 arrives in theatres as a deliberate throwback to performance-driven crime dramas, anchored by compelling turns from Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo. Directed by Bart Layton and adapted from Don Winslow’s novella, the film trades spectacle for atmosphere, delivering a slick Los Angeles-set thriller steeped in noir influences.

Set against the sleek yet menacing backdrop of LA and the iconic Highway 101, the narrative revolves around a string of meticulously planned jewel heists. The crimes follow a rigid code: no violence, no witnesses, no deviations. At the centre is Mike Davis, portrayed by Hemsworth with striking restraint. Shedding blockbuster bravado, Hemsworth plays the disciplined thief as a man caught between precision and quiet moral unease. His performance is subtle, leaning on controlled expressions and measured silences rather than overt dramatics.

Opposite him stands Lou Lubesnick, played by Ruffalo, a seasoned detective driven more by fatigue and obsession than professional ambition. Ruffalo brings a lived-in weariness to the role, grounding the film’s polished aesthetic with emotional depth. The dynamic between Davis and Lubesnick unfolds as a tense, slow-burning game of cat and mouse, favouring psychological pressure over explosive confrontations.

Halle Berry adds nuance as Sharon Stone, an insurance broker entangled in the investigation. The character, with a name that nods knowingly to noir history, could have been a mere narrative device. Instead, Berry infuses her role with layered ambiguity and agency. Barry Keoghan contributes an undercurrent of volatility, injecting unpredictability into a film that otherwise maintains measured control.

Where Crime 101 slightly falters is in its structural ambition. Layton weaves multiple perspectives and timelines with confidence, but the extended runtime occasionally strains the relatively lean source material. Some narrative threads feel introduced with depth only to conclude abruptly, hinting at broader themes — masculinity, moral codes and systemic pressures — that the screenplay only partially explores.

Stylistically, the film proudly embraces its influences. Echoes of classic LA noir and urban cool reminiscent of Michael Mann’s cinematic approach are evident throughout. The craftsmanship shines in its nocturnal cityscapes and tightly executed heist sequences. However, familiarity becomes both strength and limitation, as the film rarely deviates from established genre conventions.

Despite its occasional predictability, Crime 101 remains engaging and thoughtfully constructed. It is a crime thriller that values atmosphere, performance and deliberate pacing over spectacle. For audiences seeking a mature, character-driven narrative rather than a formulaic blockbuster, this film delivers a satisfying, well-acted experience grounded in old-school tension.