Crime 101 is filled with high-octane, action-packed sequences that send viewers on a wild ride, but it excels because of the performances.
Crime 101 is a dark, gritty, heist film that often fires on all cylinders, but also spends some down time allowing viewers to get to the know the main protagonist, Mike. There are several different characters that spend time in the spot light, and as expected, they all cross paths in the end for an explosive final act.
Chris Hemsworth, who plays Mike, does a great job making the audience want to root for him – even if he is stealing. He makes sure to never injure anyone and genually feels like a good guy, but for a lead, he doesn’t have much dialogue which makes it harder to connect to him. I would have loved more from his backstory, as it is only touched on loosely. That said, he still brings his A-game.
The rest of the cast, who are probably technically considered supporting, but feel like leads, makes Crime 101 as intriguing and captivating as it is. Halle Berry is a powerhouse (no surprise there) as Sharon. Working at a high-end insurance firm, she brings a level of class and intelligence to the story that is incredibly inspiring. Without spoilers, she has one of the most powerful moments in the film that literally had our audience clapping and cheering for her.
Then there’s Barry Keoghan. He plays a fellow thief working for the same boss as Mike, sent in to take over the job once Mike starts to waiver. Honestly, I wanted more of Barry. Every time he stepped on screen, the energy shifted. He is the perfect adversary for Mike because he’s completely unpredictable. He’s crazy, he’s volatile, and I absolutely loved every second of it. He felt underused, like a secret weapon the director was afraid to fire too often.
Monica Barbaro plays Maya, the love interest for Mike, and she is truly great. I love her as an actress and I was excited to see her in Crime 101. The chemistry between her and Chris is electric but from a purely structural standpoint? Story-wise, there is no need for her character.
It’s clear the writers wanted to use Maya to humanize Mike. They wanted us to see what he has to lose – a North Star outside of the life of crime so to speak. But honestly? It wasn’t needed.
We’re already invested in Mike because of Hemsworth’s natural charisma and the character’s competence. I found myself wishing that the screen time dedicated to their domestic life had been traded for more of Mike’s backstory. His upbringing felt totally glossed over, and that history could have provided a much more compelling human element than a standard romance.
Because of that narrative bloat, the pacing felt a bit uneven. This is a story that cries out for a tight 1 hour and 50 minutes. When the film leans into its documentary influences – the handheld camera work and the raw, unpolished lighting – it feels revolutionary. But then it drags in the middle with the unneccesary relationship filler.
But if we’re talking about who steals the show? Hands down it’s Mark Ruffalo, who plays the cop hunting down the 101 thief. He brings such a perfect blend of humor and heart to the role that you can’t help but root for him, even when he’s trying to catch our lead.
Ruffalo is one of today’s best working actors. The man never misses. He becomes the heart and soul of Crime 101 unexpectedly, but I am totally here for it. And yes, for the record, yoga definitely looks good on him.
When it comes to the action in Crime 101, the high-octane moments kick in. There is a car and motorcycle chase that had my heart pounding as I clung to the edge of my seat. The robbery scenes are intense – especially when it isn’t Mike holding the gun.
Crime 101 certainly saves its best for last, though. Just when you think you’ve mapped out the trajectory of the plot, it hits you with a twist you won’t see coming. The final moments will leave you grinning from ear to ear, and glad you stuck around. Despite the fluff, it’s a wild ride that is worth checking out.
About Crime 101
Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads.
Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.
Crime 101 comes to theaters on February 13th.
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Crime 101 is filled with high-octane, action-packed sequences that send viewers on a wild ride, but it excels because of the performances.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.