‘Crime 101’ Is Inferior Spin on This Cop Classic

Brad Layton’s “Crime 101” had a brief run in theaters this past February, before getting pulled, despite strong reviews and a $37 million domestic box office tally that was far from embarrassing (though not enough to cover the reported $90 million budget).

A month later, it premiered on Amazon Prime, where most were seeing it for the first time.

I’m glad the film is finding a new and appreciative audience and there are things to savor in this contemporary crime thriller. Nevertheless, the problem with the film isn’t with the level of filmmaking or the performances, but an overly familiar screenplay, with too many elements we’ve all seen before.

We meet Mike (Chris Hemsworth), a slickly attired jewel thief, during a heist that takes an unexpected twist of fate. Lou (Mark Ruffalo), the detective on Mike’s case, is at odds with his department and is tireless in his efforts to catch him.

Meanwhile, Sharon (Halle Berry), a veteran insurance broker, is wasting her time with insufferable clients (chief among them played by a wonderfully loathsome Tate Donovan) and a career that is heading nowhere. There’s also Ormon (Barry Keoghan), a deranged biker and thief who keeps crossing Mike’s path during the most inopportune moments.

These central characters, seemingly living separate lives that couldn’t be more disconnected, come crashing together.

Michael Mann’s “Heat,” the best film of 1995, has influenced so many subsequent crime sagas, best among them Ben Affleck’s better-than-expected “The Town” (2010). Here, the similarities to “Heat” are too close, too on-the-nose.

A subplot with Mike’s unexpected, tortured romance with Maya (played by Monica Babaro, terrific here and as Joan Baez in the 2024 “A Complete Unknown”) is compelling, until you remember how much better this was handled between Robert DeNiro and Amy Brenneman in “Heat.”

Keoghan’s Ormon is strange and intriguing but never carries the danger of Kevin Gage’s Waingro in the Mann film. Likewise, the contrasts between the Hemsworth/Ruffalo characters vs Pacino/DeNiro, or Jon Voight’s striking mentor role in Mann’s film versus Nick Nolte’s similar turn here (in fairness, Nolte isn’t in this one enough to register as strongly).

Obviously, filmgoers who have never seen or even heard of “Heat” will like “Crime 101” so much more. For me, the worst thing about “Crime 101” is how much it made me want to turn it off and watch “Heat” instead.

There’s also an unfortunate moment where Mike and Lou discuss movies and “Bullitt” (1968) is brought up, another too-obvious nod that Hemsworth character is supposed to be channeling Steve McQueen. Most will realize this long before the movie literally has the actor announce this to us.

Still, I enjoyed “Crime 101” for the beautiful cinematography of Erik Wilson (who shot all three of the “Paddington” films) and the strength of the performances.

I haven’t been this blown away by Hemsworth since his unexpected turn in the vastly underrated “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024); the actor’s way of conveying so much inner torment and conflict with very little dialogue is impressive.

Mike is a compelling figure, and Hemsworth is the film’s center.

Berry also delivers one of her best performances and, after some shamelessly flamboyant recent turns in “Poor Things” (2024) and “Mickey 17” (2025), it’s great seeing Ruffalo give a performance that doesn’t try to match Pacino, but serves as a nice counterpoint to his career-best work in “Zodiac” (2007).

We’ve got one last job for you. Crime 101 is now streaming on Prime Video – don’t miss out. pic.twitter.com/NqAYcu8tZP

— Prime Movies (@primemovies) April 1, 2026

Based on Don Winslow’s 2020 novella, Layton’s screenplay keeps the story moving but mostly redresses the conflicts of “Heat,” though his film has unexpected twists.

No spoilers from me, but the most surprising quality is how upbeat the ending is. I don’t mean to undermine the feel-good quality of the conclusion, which is the last thing I expected from a moralistic L.A. crime saga, but I suspect even Frank Capra would find the closing moments a little too much.

“Crime 101” is pretty good and has moments to savor but seriously, if you haven’t seen “Heat,” start there, then watch “The Town” and then come back for “Crime 101.”

Two and half stars (out of four)

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