Crime 101 review: Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo star in a crime heist film that is both gripping and surprising!

With Crime 101, the year kicks off with a gripping heist thriller led by an ensemble of A-listers who fully live up to their star power.

The film follows the story of an elusive thief pursued by a relentless detective in Los Angeles. But as the screenplay unfolds, you realise it is not as simplistic as it first seems. After telling his handler boss he’s quitting the game, Chris Hemsworth’s jewel thief plans one final heist and invites an insurance broker, Halle Berry, to join him, offering her a generous cut in return. Furious at his decision, the boss assigns another thief to shadow him and ultimately steal the payoff from his last job.

There are many storylines and characters intertwined in the movie, but the screenplay is so solid that it doesn't create a mess. Right from the start, the characters are introduced without any verbal dialogue, but with a soothing and meditative voice-over. We get introduced to the lives of the primary characters, and what follows is an exciting crime thriller that you surrender to.

Also Read: https://www.socialketchup.in/review/vadh-2-review-11079212

There are transition scenes in the film that move from one character to another so seamlessly that they become a visual treat. They create strong parallels, linking the characters into an interwoven narrative. The car chase sequences and the background score further strengthen the film’s technical finesse. The terrific robbery sequence with Barry Keoghan as the jewel thief, which is beautifully built up to, deserves a special mention.

What also works well is the characterisation of the male protagonist. Chris’s Mike struggles with anxiety, and it’s refreshing to see a leading man unsure of his own actions. It breaks away from the notion of a ruthless, one-dimensional villain and makes him feel more human. The performances across the board elevate the film. Chris uses silence as a weapon, delivering a convincing portrayal, while Mark Ruffalo is equally effective as the empathetic detective. Barry’s Ormon, however, is a standout performance that deserved more screen time. A violent biker determined to overthrow the protagonist, Ormon, remains largely one-note, defined solely by that mission with little insight into his backstory or personal journey. The scene-stealer, however, is Halle Berry, who beautifully embodies both the strength and vulnerability of her character.

The film goes beyond being a quintessential crime thriller and delves into questions of morality. It challenges our understanding of who qualifies as the “bad guy” and who is deemed “good.” By exploring moral grey areas, it presents each character, the thief, the insurance broker, the detective, as multidimensional individuals shaped by circumstance. If you’re a fan of a solid crime thriller with an unpredictable climax, this one is worth watching.

Crime 101 is currently playing at a theatre near you!

For more reviews, follow us on@socialketchupbinge