Don Winslow’s Crime 101 Brings Hemsworth, Ruffalo, and Berry Into a New-Age Noir

By Jason Neal

Amazon MGM Studios ignites the screen with Crime 101, a taut, psychological crime thriller that pairs Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo in a battle of intellect, obsession, and blurred morality. Directed by Bart Layton (American Animals), the film adapts Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella into a sleek, Los Angeles-set game of pursuit and deception—one that turns the iconic 101 freeway into its own pulsing character.

Hemsworth steps into the role of an enigmatic jewel thief whose flawless heists have left police baffled and the city entranced. Ruffalo counters as the detective who refuses to let the case go cold, driven by instinct as much as obsession. The film’s pulse quickens when Halle Berry enters the story as a disillusioned insurance broker drawn into the thief’s final, multi-million dollar score—a collaboration that tests the limits of trust and survival.

Layered with sun-bleached visuals, tight pacing, and a brooding tone reminiscent of Michael Mann’s Heat, Crime 101 explores what happens when two men on opposite sides of the law realize they may share the same code. The ensemble cast—featuring Barry Keoghan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, and Nick Nolte—adds depth to a narrative that thrives on tension and duality.

Layton’s direction promises a thriller that’s as cerebral as it is kinetic, balancing style with substance and performance with precision. As the lines between hunter and hunted blur, Crime 101 challenges viewers to decide who’s truly in control.

Crime 101 hits theaters on February 13, 2026, before streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video—just in time for a Valentine’s weekend that trades romance for adrenaline.