Director: Bart Layton

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Monica Barbaro, Barry Keoghan

Synopsis:

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. Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter). Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.

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Why do we love crime movies? Better yet, why do we especially love the ones where the criminals are typically portrayed as the protagonists? We're all taught at a young age that "crime doesn't pay," but the older one gets, the easier it becomes to justify criminal actions (to a certain extent, at least). Goodfellas and The Godfather are the most popular examples, and both aren't just considered the best the crime genre has to offer, but also just happen to be considered among the greatest movies ever made. Going deeper than just the core filmmaking of it all, these movies are often character-driven pieces about a societal underdog, with audiences falling head over heels in love with Danny Ocean's (George Clooney) casino heist antics in the Ocean's trilogy and the shockingly endearing Sonny's (Al Pacino) quest for quick cash in Dog Day Afternoon.

The list of great crime films is endless, though two in particular, Drive and Heat, feel like particular influences for Crime 101. Hailing from American Animals director Bart Layton and boasting a starry ensemble cast that consists of two Avengers and an X-Man, Crime 101 is certainly bringing quite a lot to the driver's seat. While the film's reliance on established crime stories dips a bit too much into the realm of cliché, the overall result is a thrilling ride that's fun to watch, from its quietest character moments to its loudest chase sequences.

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