Crime 101

American Animals writer and director Bart Layton takes audiences on a ride in the front seat of a Dodge Challenger with Hemsworth. As Mike Davis, a specialised criminal with a successful pattern that traces California’s Highway 101, Hemsworth delivers a layered performance. Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) has been tracking the methodical thief and feels he is on the brink of apprehending him. When insurance broker Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry) crosses paths with Davis and the door opens to one final heist, the trio move toward an inevitable collision that will leave someone holding an empty bag. 

Giving off the vibe of the classic Steve McQueen films it hopes to emulate, Layton delivers a nuanced take on the traditional caper. Chris Hemsworth plays against type, portraying a neurotic and anxious character who does all he can to manage his life as the walls begin to close in. Fans may have to get used to seeing their favourite action star as less than confident, but the Aussie actor is convincing throughout the story’s arc. Mark Ruffalo is a perfect foil, and when the two share the screen, everything comes together beautifully. 

The cinematography is compelling and provides a discombobulating canvas for the filmmaker to work upon. As the narrative unfolds, the story moves in a direction that leads to an unexpected conclusion that may or may not satisfy those invested in this unconventional heist film. With an all-star cast, there is talent oozing from the screenplay. Yet, if there is a glaring weakness in this tale of thievery, it is the underutilisation of Barry Keoghan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry. Each character begs to be further developed, but most are left with two-dimensional roles. 

Crime 101 offers a fresh perspective on the crime-action adventure that will keep audiences guessing until the end. Cool cars, beautiful people, and a compelling concept will carry viewers through to the finale, and the twists will keep them talking afterwards. 

REEL DIALOGUE: Is everyone lying or is everyone’s truth their own? 

One of the central struggles for Chris Hemsworth’s character is his inability to truly connect with others. Because his life is built on deception, genuine relationships become nearly impossible. When a relationship is founded on falsehood, trust erodes, and it becomes difficult to know what — or who — can be believed. 

This raises a broader cultural question: How do people find truth in a so-called “post-truth” world? If we rely solely on intuition or personal opinion, truth becomes subjective and fragile. Yet the human heart longs for something more stable than shifting perspectives. Some turn to science, philosophy, or religion in their search for answers. But how can we discern where to anchor our understanding of ethical and moral questions? 

For many, the search for truth leads beyond personal experience to a source that transcends it. The Bible offers not a simple checklist for every situation, but a framework for wisdom, integrity, and discernment. Its pages wrestle honestly with human failure, deception, justice, and redemption. The wisdom literature of the Old Testament — such as Psalms and Proverbs — provides practical insight into living truthfully, while the book of Romans explores humanity’s need for grace and transformation. 

In a world of competing narratives and personal “truths,” perhaps the deeper question is not whether everyone is lying, but whether we are willing to seek a truth that stands outside ourselves. 

Keep seeking the truth. 

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