Crime 101

Released 2026. Director: Bart Layton

WHEN I QUESTIONED IF CRIME 101 had been directed by Michael Mann, I meant it as a compliment. Michael Mann, as you may know, directed Heat, The Insider, Collateral, Ferrari and a long list of other acclaimed movies. He's a filmmaking heavyweight but he did not direct Crime 101. Bart Layton did.

Layton is best known for directing the engrossing docu-drama mystery The Imposter and doesn't have many feature film credits to his name yet. Crime 101 is a major step up in production value, scope and boasting of marquee names in its cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan and Nick Nolte.

Where Crime 101 most resembles a Mann movie is its style and characterisation, mirroring the aesthetics and tone of Collateral and Heat in particular. The night scenes of Los Angeles streets have a richness and sexiness, thanks to photography by Erik Wilson. The characters cut into each other's territory in dangerously close proximity, down to a moment when the robber and the cop are riding in the same car, knowing the other is catching on to their true identity while they're ostensibly talking about Steve McQueen in Bullitt.

Hemsworth is Mike Davis, robber for hire specialising in jewellery in transition, a loner meticulous in advance planning and painstaking execution of his hits but for an Archilles' heel. This big guy with an imposing presence actually is a softie and genuinely cares about people. Mark Ruffalo is Detective Lou who goes against the grain and relies on his hunch in the pursuit of this elusive serial robber. He's not the easiest guy to work with but he has principles. Halle Berry is Sharon, an insurance broker for high-value clients who feels betrayed and disillusioned. Barry Keoghan is Ormon, a relentless young robber sent by money man Nick Nolte to take care of business using all options including violence. He's like a bulletproof cyborg who refuses to stay down after getting shot.

What they do is believable within the scope of the genre, not an excuse to start an action scene, including Sharon's circumstances that lead her to conspire with Mike; and Lou giving Mike a way out because by the time these decisions are made we've known enough about what motivates and drives them.

Crime 101 doesn't break new grounds with its traditional plot structure. The romanticised criminal, the tenacious cop, the assassin, the woman who gets mixed up in the nasty business – these are stock characters repackaged yet I did not mind. The marvellous cast hold the scenes together with presence and charisma. Their characterisation may not be deep but certainly much richer than what the genre usually treats their kind. Hemsworth in particular hits the stride with a brooding persona and finds the right fit, bringing his masculinity to a tough-guy role with soft edges, a redemption from his dismal attempt at a tech villain in Spiderhead.

Crime 101 is confident in its direction and fully aware that its familiarity can be a strength when all the parts work in perfect harmony. I don't know what Michael Mann thinks about this movie but for my money it's a satisfying crime thriller that exceeded expectations.

Click image above to view trailer. New window will open.