🔥Crime 101 (2026): Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo Collide in a High-Stakes Game of Crime and Consequence

Crime 101, the much-anticipated crime thriller from acclaimed filmmaker Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter), is gearing up to become one of 2026’s most electrifying films. With Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan leading the charge, this adaptation of Don Winslow’s novella plunges us deep into the sun-scorched streets of Los Angeles — where loyalty, greed, and survival are the only currencies that matter.

“He’s about to break every rule he’s ever lived by.”

Releasing February 13, 2026, Crime 101 is a sleek, psychological heist drama that blends the pulse of a noir thriller with the emotional weight of a modern tragedy.

🚨 The Story: A Heist That Breaks the Code

Set against the shimmering chaos of Los Angeles’ 101 freeway, Crime 101 follows Davis (Chris Hemsworth) — an elusive, calculating thief whose high-stakes jewel heists have left police baffled for years. But when Davis sets his sights on one final score, hoping to escape a life of shadows, fate throws him into the path of Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry) — a disillusioned insurance broker on the edge of her own breakdown.

Meanwhile, Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) — weary but relentless — is closing in on the operation, determined to crack the case that has haunted him for years.

As the multi-million-dollar heist unfolds, alliances twist, identities blur, and every decision comes at a cost. The hunter becomes the hunted, and the line between law and lawlessness disintegrates.

“In a world where crime is survival, the real test is conscience.”

💥 A Star-Studded Cast That Redefines Crime Cinema

Crime 101 boasts one of the most powerful ensembles of recent years — a cast that blends intensity, intelligence, and raw charisma:

• Chris Hemsworth as Davis — the enigmatic thief chasing his last big hit.

• Mark Ruffalo as Detective Lou Lubesnick — a broken man obsessed with justice.

• Halle Berry as Sharon Colvin — an insurance broker caught between love and betrayal.

• Barry Keoghan as Ormon — Davis’s unpredictable partner in crime.

• Monica Barbaro as Maya, with Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte in pivotal roles.

The chemistry between Hemsworth and Berry reportedly ignites the screen — an unusual pairing that brings vulnerability and tension to a genre often ruled by cold detachment.

🎬 Behind the Camera: Bart Layton’s Vision

Director Bart Layton, known for his blend of documentary realism and cinematic flair, brings the same sharp storytelling style that made American Animals a breakout hit. Co-writing with Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Layton infuses Crime 101 with layered psychology and dark humor.

The film’s cinematography by Erik Wilson captures the heat and haze of Los Angeles — where golden light clashes with moral darkness — while Jacob Secher Schulsinger’s editing keeps the tension taut till the final frame.

Each frame feels like a confession, each shadow hides a secret.

💎 The Heist, The Heat, The Humanity

Unlike typical heist movies, Crime 101 isn’t just about the score — it’s about the soul behind it. The story examines what happens when people live by codes — personal, moral, or criminal — and what’s left when those codes break.

Themes of redemption, loyalty, and moral compromise anchor the narrative, offering something far deeper than guns and getaway cars.

Hemsworth plays Davis with a quiet melancholy — a man who knows the difference between right and wrong but chooses wrong anyway. Ruffalo’s detective, meanwhile, mirrors him — haunted by the same obsessions he’s sworn to fight.

🎞️ Production and Release Details

Details	Information
Directed by	Bart Layton
Written by	Bart Layton, Peter Straughan
Based on	Crime 101 by Don Winslow
Produced by	Chris Hemsworth, Ben Grayson, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Bart Layton, and others
Cinematography	Erik Wilson
Edited by	Jacob Secher Schulsinger
Studios	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Raw, Working Title Films
Distributed by	Amazon MGM Studios (U.S.), Sony Pictures Releasing International
Release Date	February 13, 2026
Language	English
Countries	United States, United Kingdom

With backing from Amazon MGM Studios and Working Title Films, Crime 101 is positioned for a global theatrical release, with streaming availability expected on Amazon Prime Video later in 2026.

🎥 Why Crime 101 Could Be 2026’s Smartest Thriller

• 🌆 Cinematic Realism: From downtown L.A. rooftops to dusty freeway motels, every location feels lived-in and dangerous.

• 🎭 Emotional Heft: Hemsworth and Berry’s chemistry adds heart to the heist.

• 🔫 Moral Ambiguity: Like Heat and Collateral, it asks whether crime is a choice — or destiny.

• 🎬 Layton’s Craft: Expect tension that builds slow and burns long.

“There’s no clean getaway — not when your past rides shotgun.”

📺 Streaming and Theatrical Release

• In Theaters: February 13, 2026 (Global release)

• Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video (expected mid–2026)

• Format: Theatrical 2D / Digital HD

Fans can expect a thrilling big-screen experience, especially in Dolby Atmos and IMAX-equipped theaters where every car chase and heist sequence feels visceral and cinematic.

❓ FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Crime 101 (2026)

1. What is Crime 101 about?

Crime 101 follows a skilled thief whose high-stakes heists along L.A.’s 101 freeway attract the attention of a relentless detective, leading to a collision of morals, love, and revenge.

2. Who are the main stars of Crime 101?

The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, and Corey Hawkins.

3. Who directed Crime 101?

The movie is directed by Bart Layton, known for American Animals and The Imposter, and co-written by Peter Straughan.

4. When will Crime 101 release?

Crime 101 releases February 13, 2026, exclusively in theaters.

5. Is Crime 101 based on a book?

Yes. It’s adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella, part of his celebrated crime fiction collection.

6. Will Crime 101 be available to stream?

Yes, after its theatrical run, the film will stream on Amazon Prime Video, thanks to distribution by Amazon MGM Studios.

7. What genre is Crime 101?

It’s a crime thriller with elements of drama, romance, and psychological tension, set in modern Los Angeles.

💣 Final Verdict: The Crime Thriller We’ve Been Waiting For

Crime 101 feels like a modern heir to Michael Mann’s Heat — a sleek, emotionally charged heist film where every choice has a price. With Hemsworth’s raw intensity, Ruffalo’s quiet desperation, and Berry’s emotional complexity, this movie promises to steal more than jewels — it’ll steal hearts.

“Every crime has a code. Every code has a breaking point.”