Crime films have long captivated audiences by placing criminals at the center of morally complex narratives, challenging the conventional belief that “crime doesn’t pay.”

Classics such as Goodfellas and The Godfather elevated the genre beyond spectacle, crafting character-driven stories about societal outsiders navigating ambition, loyalty, and survival.

Modern entries continue that tradition, often glamorizing anti-heroes in the mold of Danny Ocean or the desperate dreamers of Dog Day Afternoon.

Prime Video’s latest offering, Crime 101, draws clear inspiration from genre touchstones like Drive and Heat, positioning itself within that lineage while attempting to carve out its own identity.

Directed by Bart Layton (American Animals) and featuring a high-profile cast including Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Halle Berry, Crime 101 premieres in theaters on February 13, 2026.

Adapted from Don Winslow’s novella, the film blends intimate character study with high-octane action.

While it occasionally leans into familiar crime-thriller conventions, Layton delivers a tightly paced, engaging experience that shifts fluidly from quiet tension to explosive chase sequences, sustaining momentum across its 2-hour-20-minute runtime.

The story centers on Davis (Hemsworth), a meticulous master thief operating along the 101 freeway, known for executing robberies without harming anyone.

His disciplined code draws the obsessive attention of LAPD detective Lou Lubesnick (Ruffalo), a morally rigid officer portrayed as the “Last Honest Cop in L.A.” battling both a crumbling marriage and a bureaucratic department more concerned with optics than justice.

Halle Berry’s Sharon, a high-end insurance broker frustrated by systemic barriers within her firm, becomes entangled in Davis’s world, linking law enforcement and the criminal underworld.

Supporting characters—including Barry Keoghan’s volatile Ormon, Nick Nolte’s grizzled crime boss Money, and Monica Barbaro’s Maya—add layers of tension as Davis weighs loyalty, ambition, and the possibility of escape.

Technically polished and stylistically confident, the film benefits from Erik Wilson’s sleek cinematography and sharp editing by Julian Hart and Jacob Schulsinger, rendering Los Angeles with a clean, controlled aesthetic.

Hemsworth delivers one of his strongest performances, imbuing the anti-hero archetype with restrained anxiety and emotional depth.

The climax unfolds in a tightly constructed web of deception at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, culminating in a revealing shootout, though the conclusion edges toward melodrama.

Despite clear genre influences, Crime 101 stands as a compelling addition to 2026’s slate of mid-scale action thrillers—an entertaining, well-crafted crime drama with the makings of a future cult favorite.