A new crime thriller anchored by an A-list ensemble has arrived in theatres across Canada and internationally, as Crime 101 makes its wide theatrical debut. Backed by Amazon MGM Studios and produced in association with Working Title, the 139-minute feature brings together marquee names including Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo in a stylized Los Angeles-set caper adapted from a bestselling novella.
Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 follows an elusive jewel thief portrayed by Hemsworth whose carefully executed heists along the 101 freeway have baffled authorities. As he prepares for what he believes will be the score of a lifetime, his trajectory intersects with a disillusioned insurance broker, played by Berry, who is confronting her own professional and personal crossroads.
Meanwhile, a determined detective, played by Ruffalo, begins to piece together a pattern in the robberies. Convinced he has cracked the case, the detective intensifies his pursuit, pushing the narrative toward a high-stakes confrontation. As the heist approaches, alliances shift and the boundaries between hunter and hunted blur, forcing each of the three central characters to confront irreversible choices.
The film is adapted from the acclaimed novella by crime author Don Winslow. It is written and directed by Bart Layton, whose previous credits include the true-crime features American Animals and The Imposter. Layton also serves as a producer on the project.
In addition to its three leads, the cast includes Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins and Jennifer Jason Leigh, with Nick Nolte and Berry also receiving prominent billing. The production is supported by a team of established producers, including Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Derrin Schlesinger, Dimitri Doganis, Layton, Shane Salerno, Hemsworth and Benjamin Grayson. Executive producers include Bergen Swanson, Sarah-Jane Wright, Amelia Granger, Joely Fether and Peter Straughan.
The project represents a collaboration between Amazon MGM Studios, Working Title, RAW and Wild State, in association with The Story Factory. The film carries a 14A rating in Canada.
For Amazon MGM Studios, the release of Crime 101 underscores its continued investment in theatrical distribution alongside streaming initiatives. The studio has increasingly positioned itself as a hybrid content player, combining prestige-driven storytelling with commercially viable genre films featuring globally recognized talent.
Industry observers note that the film’s combination of star power and established source material positions it to compete in a marketplace where recognizable intellectual property and high-profile casts can significantly influence box office performance. Crime thrillers remain a durable genre in theatrical exhibition, particularly when driven by character-focused narratives and ensemble casts.
The adaptation of Winslow’s novella arrives at a time when studios are seeking bankable properties with built-in audiences. Layton’s background in documentary-style storytelling and fact-based drama may also lend a grounded tone to the film’s depiction of calculated criminality and institutional response.
Marketing for the film includes a digital campaign anchored by the studio’s Canadian social media channels, including @amazonmgmstudiosCA and @Crime101Film, as well as the hashtag #Crime101. Official film assets and press materials have been made available through Amazon MGM Studios’ press site and EPK portal, with additional information accessible via the film’s official website.
With its Los Angeles setting, tightly wound narrative and layered performances, Crime 101 enters theatres positioned as both a character-driven drama and a commercial genre offering. As audiences return to cinemas for event-style releases, the film’s performance may provide another data point in assessing the continued draw of adult-oriented thrillers on the big screen.
Crime 101 is now playing in theatres everywhere.