Early Reactions Call Chris Hemsworth's Crime 101 an Old-School Action Throwback

Early reactions to Crime 101 praise the film as a throwback to 1990s crime thrillers, with some critics even calling it "the first great movie of the year." Reviewers have highlighted a strong ensemble that includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan and Monica Barbaro, and lauded the picture’s lean, old‑school energy.

Several commentators compared the tone to Michael Mann’s work, describing the movie as a love letter to films like Heat and Collateral. Scott Menzel offered the “highest compliment,” saying the film feels like something “ripped straight out of the early 90s,” while Courtney Howard singled out Keoghan and Berry for standout turns.

Not all early responses were unreserved. Some critics found the story slow to engage and burdened by pedestrian subplots, though many noted the film “roars to life” when Keoghan’s unpredictable character appears and praised the strong final act.

crime 101, chris hemsworth, mark ruffalo, halle berry, barry keoghan, monica barbaro, 1990s thrillers, michael mann, heat, collateral