The primary nice crime film of 2026 seems to be upon us, as Bart Layton’s adaptation of Don Winslow’s 2020 novella Crime 101 has debuted to rave critiques. The primary batch of verified critic critiques on Rotten Tomatoes yielded a uncommon 100% recent rating, and whereas subsequent additions have pulled it away from perfection, it nonetheless boasts an especially robust rating for against the law thriller.
Crime 101 follows a jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) who commits heists alongside the 101 freeway in Los Angeles whose plans align with these of a beleaguered insurance coverage agent (the lately revitalized Halle Berry). As their plots unfold, they’re chased by a pointy detective (Mark Ruffalo) decided to cease the following heist earlier than it occurs.
The crime thriller is positively loaded with expertise in entrance of the digital camera along with the aforementioned stars, though early expectations on-line have been these of a run-of-the-mill fashionable crime story. Because it seems, critics are applauding it as a top-of-the-line crime film, and sifting by way of the critiques reveals there are a number of frequent parts they’ve reacted to.
6
The Star-Studded Forged Is Wonderful
Along with Hemsworth, Berry, and Ruffalo, the forged of Crime 101 has a supporting forged loaded with Oscar nominees and different celebrated actors. Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin) has a serious position as a psychopathic biker at odds with Hemsworth’s thief Mike Davis, whereas Nick Nolte (Warrior), Monica Barbaro (A Full Unknown), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton), and Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight) all have significant roles.
Critics agree that your entire forged is totally bought-in with their performances, however Hemsworth, Berry, and Ruffalo are the standouts within the movie. Owen Gleiberman of Selection known as it considered one of Hemworth’s finest performances in no unsure phrases, whereas others applauded Ruffalo’s grizzled veteran detective as the opposite half of the cat-and-mouse sport with Hemsworth.
5
The Characters Are Nicely-Written And Advanced
A part of what makes the actors stand out in Crime 101 is the truth that they get to work with characters which are well-fleshed-out. George Simpson of the Each day Specific famous that, “what makes Crime 101 so good is that the heart-racing thrills are complemented by an excellent script filled with morally advanced characters.”
As the primary protagonist is a jewel thief, there’s a built-in degree of complexity for the viewers, as we are supposed to root for the characters making an attempt heists. On the opposite aspect, Ruffalo’s detective is not essentially the most straight-and-narrow of legislation enforcers, leaving room for every performer to construct layers onto their respective characters. Layton’s adaptation of the supply materials is executed nicely sufficient that the characters are price caring about.
4
It Evokes Crime Heist Classics
Whereas some critics labeled it as a bug not a function, most agree that Crime 101‘s reliance on crime tropes from classics like Collateral, Thief, or The Thomas Crown Affair largely works within the film’s favor. Edgar Ortega of Loud and Clear Evaluations mentioned in his evaluation that “…it’d make the most of a well known components, however in a time the place it’s a rarity for this sort of film to get launched in theaters, Layton’s newest is a welcome addition to the style.“
Comparisons to Michael Mann’s 1995 style staple Warmth abound inside the bevy of critiques presently out there, however once more that is not essentially a nasty factor. Followers of the enduring basic will undoubtedly be happy by Layton’s modern adaptation, and if there’s any film {that a} fashionable crime thriller ought to try to emulate, Warmth is nearly as good a goal as any.
3
There Is A Gritty Neo-Noir Really feel To It
A part of the rationale that critics agree the film evokes crime classics is as a result of Layton and his staff have leaned into a real neo-Noir aethetic for the story. Randy Myers of the San Jose Mercury Information highlighted the work of cinematographer Erik Wilson particularly, saying that he, “makes L.A. modern, attractive and tough across the edges and that contributes in giving it a sleepless really feel.“
These tough edges apply to the characters simply as a lot because the setting, serving to to fabricate a definite type to the film that may fulfill even style purists who maintain the black-and-white classics of the Forties and Fifties because the gold customary. Critics appear to agree it helps Crime 101 stand out within the fashionable cinema house that sometimes depends on mor explosive motion within the crime threiller subgenre.
2
The Narrative Is A Nicely-Executed Gradual Burn
Display Rant’s personal Gregory Nussen mentioned in his overview that a part of Crime 101‘s attraction is the truth that it does not depend on the explosive motion and heavy-handed exposition which are so usually staples of crime motion pictures. As Nussen famous, “This can be a purposefully languid film that proves actual, real stress might be constructed with out crash touchdown proper in your head.”
A number of critics did level out that the 140-minute runtime of Crime 101 could have been a bit too lengthy, however the intentional sluggish burn of the narrative is a part of what makes the film work so nicely. The story continues to be punctuated by well-executed motion scenes, notably a top-flight automotive chase, however general the film is designed to burn low and sluggish because it builds stress.
1
It is An Entertaining Crime Thriller
Maybe most significantly, Crime 101 is an effective time on the motion pictures. A criminal offense thriller particularly wants to make sure that the viewers is engaged and exhilarated all through, and critics seem to agree that there’s loads of enjoyable available, particularly for these with an affinity for crime classics.
Whereas admitting there was a reliance on basic crime film tropes, Collider‘s Aidan Kelley famous that “the general result’s an exhilarating trip that is enjoyable to look at, from its quietest character moments to its loudest chase sequences.” Crime 101 is formally in theaters in all places on February twelfth, and will have some endurance past Valentine’s Day weekend if the early critiques are any indication.
- Launch Date
-
February 13, 2026
- Runtime
-
140 Minutes
- Director
-
Bart Layton