Director Bart Layton took the stage at CinemaCon alongside stars Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry to unveil an exclusive first look at Crime 101, set to hit theaters later this year. The star-studded ensemble also includes Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Tate Donovan, Devon Bostick, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte.

“With Bart Layton at the helm, this promises to be one exhilarating ride,” Berry told the audience, highlighting Ruffalo’s role as a determined detective on the hunt for those behind a string of high-stakes jewelry heists. Layton emphasized the significance of L.A.’s 101 Freeway in the film’s narrative, expressing his vision to showcase the city freshly and unexpectedly.

Hemsworth described the film as “uniquely mesmerizing,” adding that it grips viewers from start to finish.
The trailer teases the film’s intensity, opening with Hemsworth’s character being asked about his motivation. “What motivates me? Well, money, I guess,” he responds, setting the tone for the high-stakes drama. A gripping exchange unfolds between Nolte and Keoghan’s characters, with Nolte warning, “You’re not your dad. You might not have the stomach he had.” Keoghan coolly counters, “I have the stomach for a lot of things.”

Berry’s character also offers insight into her world, stating, “I write insurance policies for people who have more money than they know what to do with.”
Layton not only directed but also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Peter Straughan. Crime 101 is based on Don Winslow’s 2021 novella of the same name, which follows detective Lou Lubesnick as he pursues a master thief who operates under a rigid code known as “Crime 101.”
The film is produced by Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan for Working Title, along with Layton and Dimitri Doganis for RAW, as well as Derrin Schlesinger and Shane Salerno. Joely Fether serves as executive producer for RAW.

-Prachi Mehta