Chris Hemsworth’s Crime 101 Arrives Feb 2026

If you’re searching for the Crime 101 movie 2026 release date, Chris Hemsworth Crime 101, or the latest on Bart Layton thriller this Valentine’s weekend, you’ve landed in the right place. Amazon MGM Studios’ star-packed heist drama hits theaters on February 13, 2026, just in time for a Presidents’ Day four-day frame packed with counterprogramming options. With an all-star ensemble led by Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan, plus a sharp screenplay adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed 2020 novella, Crime 101 promises sleek Los Angeles noir, high-stakes tension, and moral gray areas that echo classics like Heat and The Town.

This in-depth guide breaks down everything you need to know—release details, full cast breakdown, spoiler-free plot insights, early critic reactions, box office forecasts, and viewer tips—so you can decide if it’s your next must-see theatrical thriller. We’ll also explore why this R-rated crime drama stands out in a crowded February 2026 lineup and its long-term streaming potential on Prime Video.

Cast & Crew: A Powerhouse Ensemble Backed by Proven Expertise

Crime 101 shines thanks to a cast that brings depth to every morally complex character. Here’s the key lineup (sourced from IMDb and official studio materials):

• Chris Hemsworth as Mike Davis – A meticulous, disillusioned Los Angeles jewel thief pulling off precision heists along the iconic 101 freeway. Hemsworth channels quiet intensity and world-weary charisma, delivering what early reviews call his most nuanced dramatic turn since Rush.
• Mark Ruffalo as Det. Lou Lubesnick – The relentless, old-school detective piecing together the pattern behind the robberies. Ruffalo brings lived-in gravitas and subtle frustration, echoing his work in Spotlight and The Avengers ensemble pieces.
• Halle Berry as Sharon Colvin – A sharp, crossroads-facing insurance broker whose professional frustrations lead her into unexpected alliances. Berry’s performance is described as “gnomic and explosive” in Deadline’s review.
• Barry Keoghan as Ormon – A volatile, psychotic young biker who injects chaotic danger into the underworld. Keoghan’s wild-card energy (think The Banshees of Inisherin) makes him a standout threat.
• Supporting standouts: Monica Barbaro as Maya (Mike’s love interest), Corey Hawkins as Det. Tillman, Jennifer Jason Leigh as Angie (Lou’s estranged wife), Nick Nolte as Money (the unpredictable fence), and more including Tate Donovan, Devon Bostick, and Payman Maadi.

Behind the camera, Bart Layton (director and screenwriter, adapting the novella with Peter Straughan) brings documentary-rooted authenticity from American Animals and The Imposter. Producers include Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, plus Hemsworth himself. The $90 million budget shows in lush LA location shooting, a pulsating score by Blanck Mass, and crisp editing by Jacob Secher Schulsinger. This team delivers polished, character-driven crime storytelling that feels both timeless and 2026-fresh.

For more on star-driven thrillers, check our recent review of another gripping crime tale: The Rip: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Gripping Netflix Crime Thriller Streams Now.

Spoiler-Free Plot Breakdown: High-Stakes Heists, Moral Crossroads, and LA Grit

Set against the sun-bleached, neon-tinged underbelly of Los Angeles, Crime 101 follows an elusive jewel thief whose string of meticulously planned robberies along the 101 freeway has baffled authorities. As Mike Davis eyes the score of a lifetime, his path collides with Sharon Colvin, a disillusioned insurance executive facing her own professional dead end. Meanwhile, Detective Lou Lubesnick—convinced he’s cracked the pattern—closes in relentlessly, turning the hunt into a tense game of cat-and-mouse.

The story explores themes of obsession, redemption, class friction, and the blurred lines between hunter and hunted in a corrupt, money-driven world. Expect ingenious set pieces, simmering tension that erupts into visceral action, and quiet character moments that reveal the personal costs of “one last job.” At 2 hours 19 minutes, the film lingers on relationships and moral ambiguity without rushing the payoff—perfect for fans who crave substance over pure spectacle.

No major spoilers here, but the Pacific Coast highway backdrop adds a sense of sprawling, sun-soaked inevitability to the heists. Layton’s direction keeps the focus on the players rather than the game itself, creating a neo-noir that feels intimate yet expansive.

Why Crime 101 Is Buzzing in 2026: Early Critic Reactions and Trailer Hype

Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, Crime 101 sits at a strong 88% Tomatometer (51 reviews as of February 12, 2026), with critics praising Hemsworth’s “nuanced, soulful” lead performance and Layton’s confident genre command. Deadline calls it a “stellar LA noir” with “rich, sprawling” character work and clever last-act sleight-of-hand. Variety highlights the “tip-top cast” and Michael Mann-adjacent mood without feeling derivative.

The official trailer (released October 2025) has racked up millions of views, showcasing sleek car chases, tense stakeouts, and the electric chemistry between Hemsworth and Berry. Premiere buzz from the London gala (January 28, 2026) and appearances on The Graham Norton Show underscore the film’s prestige positioning.

In a February 2026 slate heavy on romance (Wuthering Heights) and family animation (GOAT), Crime 101 offers adult-skewing counterprogramming—ideal for date-night viewers seeking edge over escapism. Its R-rating (language, violence, sexual material) delivers raw intensity without gratuitous excess.

For fans exploring other 2026 thrillers, don’t miss our deep dive into Markiplier’s sci-fi horror: Iron Lung (2026) Review: Markiplier’s Sci-Fi Horror Submarine Thriller.

Box Office Outlook: Realistic Projections for Valentine’s/Presidents’ Day Weekend

Tracking services (Boxoffice Pro, Deadline, Variety) project $12–18 million domestically over the four-day opening frame (February 13–16, 2026) from approximately 3,000 theaters. Some optimistic estimates reach $15–17 million, positioning Crime 101 in third place behind Wuthering Heights ($47–55M) and GOAT ($16–25M).

The extended holiday weekend and strong word-of-mouth could help it hold well into week two, especially among adult male and older audiences. Long-term, the $90 million budget needs strong international and post-theatrical performance (Prime Video streaming likely in late 2026) to turn profitable. Compared to similar February crime thrillers, expectations align with modest but respectable openers—think The Town-era benchmarks adjusted for today’s market.

If you’re planning your weekend, pair it with our US Weekend Roundup Feb 6-9, 2026: News, Sports & Entertainment for full scheduling context.

Comparisons to Heat and The Town: A Modern Throwback with Fresh Twists

Crime 101 consciously nods to Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) in its procedural depth and sun-baked LA authenticity, and to Ben Affleck’s The Town (2010) in its blue-collar heist crew dynamics and emotional stakes. Yet Layton differentiates by emphasizing character obsolescence and institutional corruption over pure procedural fireworks. Hemsworth’s Mike isn’t a super-thief—he’s a cautious everyman trying to build order in chaos. Ruffalo’s detective feels humanly flawed rather than invincible.

The result? A thriller that’s more about the “why” than the “how,” making it feel timely in 2026’s post-pandemic landscape of economic anxiety and blurred ethics.

Viewer Guide: Who Should See Crime 101 and Theater Tips

• Perfect for: Thriller fans, Hemsworth completists, date-night couples wanting something sharper than pure romance, and anyone who loved American Animals or Winslow’s novels (Savages, The Cartel).
• Not for: Young kids (R-rating), or viewers seeking non-stop action—it’s dialogue- and character-heavy.
• Theater recommendations: Catch it in premium large-format screens for the freeway chases and LA vistas. Dolby Atmos audio elevates the score. Arrive early—expect strong walk-up sales on Valentine’s Day.

After theaters, keep an eye on Prime Video for the eventual streaming debut—Amazon MGM titles often land there 45–90 days post-release.

FAQs About Crime 101 2026

When is the Crime 101 movie 2026 release date? February 13, 2026, in wide theatrical release across the USA and internationally.

Is Crime 101 based on a book? Yes—Don Winslow’s 2020 novella of the same name.

Will Crime 101 be on streaming? Likely on Prime Video later in 2026; no exact date yet.

What is the runtime and rating? 2 hours 19 minutes, Rated R for language, violence, and sexual material.

How does it compare to other February 2026 releases? Strong adult alternative to the romance-heavy Wuthering Heights and family GOAT.

Ready to buy tickets? Head to Fandango or your local theater app now—Crime 101 is primed to be one of February’s most talked-about hits.

For more February 2026 Hollywood coverage, explore our full Movies category on Click USA News. Stay tuned for post-release reviews and box office updates!

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