Crime 101
The brief
Bart Layton brings his documentary precision to a slick LA heist thriller that crackles with the same smart energy as his previous cons. Hemsworth sheds the cape for a calculating thief role that actually suits him, while Berry delivers her sharpest performance in years as an insurance investigator caught between duty and desperation. The 101 freeway becomes almost a character itself, with Layton using the iconic stretch of asphalt to create a tense cat-and-mouse game that builds to a genuinely surprising climax. Perfect for fans of Heat or The Town who want their crime capers served with brains and a distinctly California tone.
The verdict
If you crave intelligent heist films with strong performances and methodical pacing, this is a satisfying throwback to classic LA crime thrillers like Heat. If you need constant action over character development, the 2 hour 21 minute runtime will test your patience despite the smart plotting.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for crime thriller fans
- 👫 Great date night pick
- ⚠️ Skip with young kids
Heads up
- Heist violence and gunfights (moderate)
- Strong language throughout (frequent)
- Car chase sequences (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Bart Layton
- Cast
- Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Official synopsis
When an elusive thief whose high-stakes heists unfold along the iconic 101 freeway in Los Angeles eyes the
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Point Break (1991)
Both feature heist crews targeting scores along California highways.
Total runtime: 2h 21m + 2h 2m = 4h 23m
