Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Crime 101

Crime 101 is a 2026 crime thriller film written and directed by Bart Layton, based on Don Winslow’s 2020 novella of the same name.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Crime 101 is a 2026 crime thriller film written and directed by Bart Layton, adapted from Don Winslow’s 2020 novella. It follows a thief, an insurance broker, and a detective whose paths cross around a planned multimillion-dollar jewel heist.

What it is

Crime 101 is a crime thriller film based on Don Winslow’s 2020 novella of the same name. Bart Layton wrote and directed the project, which stars Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry. The story centres on an elusive thief planning a final major score, a disillusioned insurance broker, and a determined detective trying to stop the heist, set around Los Angeles and the 101 freeway.

Cast and release

The main cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry, with supporting roles from Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte. The film premiered in London on January 28, 2026, and was released in the United States on February 13, 2026. Amazon MGM Studios handled the U.S. release, while Sony Pictures Releasing International managed international distribution.

Key details

The film is adapted from Don Winslow’s 2020 novella Crime 101. Bart Layton wrote and directed the project. The plot involves a thief planning a major jewel-heist score, an insurance broker drawn into the scheme, and a detective trying to stop the crime. The film premiered in London on January 28, 2026, and was released in the United States on February 13, 2026.

In short

  • Crime 101 is a 2026 crime thriller based on Don Winslow’s 2020 novella.
  • Directed and written by Bart Layton; stars Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry.
  • Plot: a thief, insurance broker, and detective intersect around a major heist along the 101 freeway.
  • Released in the U.S. on February 13, 2026, after a London premiere on January 28, 2026.

Quick questions

What is Crime 101 about?
It is about a thief planning a major jewel-heist score, an insurance broker drawn into the scheme, and a detective trying to stop the crime before it happens.
Who is in the Crime 101 cast?
The main cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry, with Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte in supporting roles.
When is the Crime 101 release date?
It premiered in London on January 28, 2026, and was released in the United States on February 13, 2026.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_101_(2026_film)
    Supports: Film title, format, director, cast, source novella, and premiere/release information
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32430579/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary involving the thief, insurance broker, and detective
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32430579/
    Supports: Basic film identification and plot premise
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/crime_101_2026
    Supports: Release date and plot premise
  5. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/11/crime-101-review-chris-hemsworth-barry-keoghan-mark-ruffalo
    Supports: Premise, character names, and release timing
  6. The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/crime-101-review-chris-hemsworth-halle-berry-mark-ruffalo-1236501421/
    Supports: Story outline, character roles, and adaptation source
  7. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/movies/crime-101-review.html
    Supports: Adaptation from Don Winslow and plot context
  8. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxlCYzf3kQE
    Supports: Trailer-related video and cast listing