Surprisingly Positive Reviews for Crime 101
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, the star-studded Crime 101 opens this weekend and is targeting a $15 million debut. Reviews for the film, starring Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry, were published two days ahead of release. This time, rather than a divide between critics and audiences, there is a noticeable discrepancy between the two major review aggregation platforms: Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes. Crime 101 currently holds a 67 percent score on Metacritic and 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film has been described as reminiscent of Heat by Michael Mann, following a series of major jewelry heists along the U.S. West Coast. Authorities link the robberies to Colombian cartels, but Detective Lou Lubesnick has other ideas and begins targeting one specific thief.
The ensemble cast also includes Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Nick Nolte (Warrior), Tate Donovan (The Holdovers), Babak Tafti (Billions), Peyman Maadi (The Night Of), Badria Timimi (Mare of Easttown), Devon Bostick (Oppenheimer), Paul Adelstein (Monsters), Drew Powell (Monsters), Matthew Del Negro (Mayor of Kingstown), Monica Barbaro, and Corey Hawkins.
An Empire critic writes: “It’s enjoyable to see this brilliant cast in a slick big-screen thriller. But beyond that, Crime 101 offers little to linger on once the end credits roll.”
A reviewer for the Associated Press notes: “It’s the rare film that makes you ask: Can a movie impersonate another movie? The real theft of Crime 101 is the old adage: if you’re going to steal, steal from the best.”
The San Francisco Chronicle writes: “Crime 101 is often clever, ultimately ridiculous, and mostly entertaining. But like Davis’ cruises in gleaming cars, your mileage may vary.”
The UK’s The Times calls it “an excellent example of an L.A. B-movie, a genre that includes Wrath of Man by Guy Ritchie and Den of Thieves starring Gerard Butler. Crime 101 is far better than those films and, at moments, reaches impressive heights.”
TheWrap writes: “The plot can be dull and often lacks momentum, yet the capable cast and striking visuals keep your eyes glued to the screen.”
The Daily Beast describes it as “a film that lives up to its title’s expectations through its bluntness in every respect — and in doing so, confirms that some clichés endure for a reason.”
The Guardian awarded the film four out of five stars, calling it “a spectacular and highly watchable movie that leaves a scorching trail down the road.”
Crime 101 will be released on February 13, 2026.
