“Crime 101” Movie Review

The New Yorker

by Justin Chang

February 13, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

"Crime 101," a gripping crime thriller directed by Bart Layton, follows Chris Hemsworth’s enigmatic jewel thief Mike Davis and Mark Ruffalo’s seasoned LAPD detective Lou Lubesnick as they navigate a web of heists, secrets, and shifting alliances in Los Angeles. Set against the backdrop of the city’s iconic coastline, the film explores how its three main characters—Davis, Lubesnick, and insurance broker Sharon Coombs (Halle Berry)—use the beach as both a symbol of freedom and a coded means of communication. While Davis, a pacifist thief who meticulously plans his crimes, hides out in a luxury apartment overlooking the Pacific, Lubesnick aspires to one day live by the ocean himself, a desire that resonates with Sharon, who also finds herself drawn into their orbit. The film’s narrative avoids many LA clichés while embracing others, such as the obligatory yoga studio scene. Hemsworth delivers a standout performance as Davis, portraying him as a magnetic yet reserved antihero whose charm and intelligence make him both迷人and elusive. Ruffalo, meanwhile, brings nuance to Lubesnick, a detective who harbors a quiet admiration for the criminal he’s pursuing, while Berry’s Sharon adds depth as she investigates a jewelry store robbery and becomes entangled in the lives of both men. "Crime 101" offers a fresh take on the crime thriller genre by exploring themes of connection and coincidence in a sprawling city. The film critiques the over-the-top contrivances often found in depictions of LA, such as the idea that criminals choose Route 101 for its convenient escape routes—a notion that feels more like an excuse than a plot device. Yet, despite its flaws, the movie succeeds in creating a compelling

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/13/2026