3 Minutes
Critics hail Crime 101 as a fresh heist standout
Crime 101, the new heist thriller headlined by Chris Hemsworth, is generating early praise from critics who are calling it one of the first great films of 2026. Directed by Bart Layton and adapted from a short novel by Dan Winslow, the movie follows a master jewel thief whose meticulously planned final job is upended by an unexpected twist: an insurance broker who changes the rules of the game.
Early social buzz has trended positive. JoBlo wrote on X that Crime 101 may already be the first standout film of the year, praising its satisfying ending. Other critics have compared the film favorably to genre touchstones like Heat and Drive — a complement that points to Layton’s blend of tense set pieces and character-driven drama.
What sets it apart
Where Crime 101 earns its stripes is in balance: it delivers classic heist elements—cunning thefts, high-speed chases, tense face-offs—while investing in characters with real emotional depth. Reviewers like Tom Chatalbash noted the screenplay’s finely drawn, complex characters, and Matt Neglia highlighted the film’s mix of adrenaline and heart: a thief with an unexpected conscience and a charismatic antagonist who raises the stakes.
The film’s opening is deliberate and measured, which some viewers described as slow. But once the momentum builds, Layton orchestrates a smart escalation of suspense that culminates in a payoff many find rewarding.
Cast, director and source material
Chris Hemsworth anchors the cast with a performance that leans into both charm and moral ambiguity — an arc Hemsworth has explored in action-thrillers like Extraction but here tilted toward quieter, more cunning energy. He’s joined by Mark Ruffalo, Monica Barbaro, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry, a lineup that delivers both star power and ensemble chemistry. Fans of The Town and The Departed are likely to appreciate the film’s tone, according to Winslow, the author of the short novel the script adapts.
Bart Layton, known for American Animals and The Imposter, returns to criminal storytelling with refined control over pacing and stylistic touches that reward attentive viewers. His earlier work’s mix of documentary realism and dramatic reconstruction informs Crime 101’s grounded approach to a genre that can easily veer into pastiche.
"Film critic Anna Kovacs, a longtime observer of contemporary crime cinema, notes: ‘Crime 101 manages to feel both classic and modern. Layton respects heist traditions but gives them room to breathe through character. Hemsworth’s restrained performance is the movie’s emotional engine.'"
Why genre fans should care
Beyond winning critical nods, Crime 101 arrives at a moment when heist movies are enjoying renewed interest—blending noirish mood with procedural detail and emotional stakes. Trivia-minded fans will appreciate that the film springs from a short novel rather than a sprawling epic, which helps keep the runtime focused and taut.
Whether you follow the stars, the director, or just enjoy a well-crafted caper, Crime 101 promises a satisfying, character-led heist experience. It opens February 13, 2026, and is already sparking conversations about where heist cinema goes next.
Leave a Comment