Crime 101, the new crime thriller from director Bart Layton, is now streaming on Prime Video. The film stars Chris Hemsworth as a meticulous Los Angeles jewel thief planning one last job; a plan that quickly unravels when a volatile young criminal and a determined detective enter the picture. Based on Don Winslow’s 2020 novella of the same name, Crime 101 arrived on Prime Video on April 1, 2026 following its theatrical run beginning February 13, 2026.
Layton, known for the critically acclaimed American Animals, brings a kinetic, character-driven energy to the material, and the film is anchored by an ensemble cast that includes Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry and Barry Keoghan alongside Hemsworth.
Here’s a full breakdown of who plays who.
Quick facts
- Title: Crime 101
- Director: Bart Layton
- Based on: Crime 101 by Don Winslow (2020)
- Theatrical Release: February 13, 2026
- Streaming: Prime Video (April 1, 2026)
- Genre: Crime Thriller
- Crime 101 Trailer:
Cast at a Glance
- Chris Hemsworth — Mike Davis
- Mark Ruffalo — Detective Lou Lubesnick
- Halle Berry — Sharon
- Barry Keoghan — Orman
- Monica Barbaro — Maya
- Jennifer Jason Leigh — Angie Lubesnick
- Nick Nolte — Money
- Corey Hawkins — Detective Tillman
Chris Hemsworth as Mike Davis
Chris Hemsworth plays Mike Davis, a career jewel thief operating at the top of his game who is plotting what he intends to be his final job. The role is a deliberate departure from the action-heavy performances Hemsworth is best known for — Mike is methodical, controlled and quietly calculating rather than physically dominant.
Hemsworth leans into that restraint effectively. His best moments come not in scenes of action but in quieter exchanges where Mike’s careful calculation is just barely visible beneath the surface. It is a more understated performance than audiences may expect and a strong reminder of his range beyond franchise work.
Mark Ruffalo as Detective Lou Lubesnick
Mark Ruffalo plays Detective Lou Lubesnick, the LAPD detective who has been tracking Mike Davis for years and whose pursuit becomes something of a personal mission. Ruffalo plays Lou as warm, rumpled and brilliantly intuitive in flashes — a detective who is easy to underestimate.
His scenes opposite Hemsworth provide the film’s central tension, a slow-burn cat-and-mouse dynamic that Ruffalo grounds with characteristic humanity. Lou is never just a procedural obstacle — Ruffalo ensures he feels fully realized, with a complicated home life and a sense of moral investment that goes beyond professional duty.
Halle Berry as Sharon
Halle Berry plays Sharon, an insurance broker whose detailed knowledge of Los Angeles’ wealthiest clients makes her an invaluable — and dangerous — partner for Mike. Berry plays her with cool intelligence and a quietly independent streak, resisting any impulse to reduce Sharon to a supporting function.
Her dynamic with Hemsworth is one of the film’s more interesting threads, a partnership built on mutual self-interest that gradually becomes something more complicated. Berry ensures Sharon always feels like a character with her own agenda, not simply a plot mechanism.
Barry Keoghan as Orman
Barry Keoghan plays Orman, a volatile young criminal whose entry into Mike’s carefully constructed plan threatens to destabilize everything. Director Bart Layton has noted the role was written with Keoghan in mind and the fit is apparent — Keoghan brings the same unpredictable energy to Orman that has defined much of his recent work.
His scenes are the film’s most combustible. Where Hemsworth plays control and Ruffalo plays warmth, Keoghan plays chaos — and the contrast gives Crime 101 much of its forward momentum.
Monica Barbaro as Maya
Monica Barbaro plays Maya, Mike’s love interest, bringing emotional grounding to a film that otherwise operates largely in moral grey zones. Her presence gives Hemsworth’s character a human stake in the outcome that goes beyond the mechanics of the heist.
Jennifer Jason Leigh as Angie Lubesnick
Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Angie, Lou’s estranged wife. Her scenes are relatively brief but carry real weight — a quiet reminder of what Lou’s obsessive pursuit of Mike has cost him outside the precinct.
Nick Nolte as Money
Nick Nolte plays Money, a well-connected underworld fence whose loyalties are as unpredictable as they are valuable. Nolte brings his signature grizzled authority to the role.
Corey Hawkins as Detective Tillman
Corey Hawkins plays Detective Tillman, Lou’s partner. His presence provides a steady counterbalance to Ruffalo’s more mercurial lead detective, grounding the investigative side of the story.
Why the Cast Works
Crime 101 functions as well as it does because Layton cast against type in key roles. Hemsworth playing restraint, Keoghan playing pure instability and Ruffalo playing warmth inside a procedural framework creates a genuine dynamic range across the ensemble. Rather than a traditional heist film built around spectacle, the cast pushes Crime 101 toward something more character-driven — which is where Don Winslow’s source material lives anyway.
Why people are watching ‘Crime 101’
There are a few key reasons Crime 101 is drawing attention:
- A star-studded cast: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry headline a strong ensemble
- Source material from Don Winslow: The film is based on a popular crime novella
- A character-driven approach: Director Bart Layton focuses more on psychology than spectacle
Looking for more films to stream this week? Check out DIRECTV’s guide to the best movies streaming now or browse what’s new on Prime Video this month.
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Frequently asked questions
Who plays Mike Davis in Crime 101?
Chris Hemsworth plays Mike Davis, a professional jewel thief planning his final heist.
Who is in the cast of Crime 101?
The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry and Barry Keoghan alongside Monica Barbaro, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte and Corey Hawkins.
Is Crime 101 based on a book?
Yes, Crime 101 is based on Don Winslow’s 2020 novella of the same name.
Where can I watch Crime 101?
Crime 101 is streaming on Prime Video as of April 1, 2026.
