Bart Layton’s Crime 101 is a measured, cerebral crime drama that finds its strength in the intricate intersections of its characters. Yes, this is very much a film driven by personality, psychology, and the slow reveal of motive. Layton juggles several character studies at once - each distinct, each layered - and luckily for us, every one of them is compelling enough to hold our attention. That’s especially important, because the film does slip into overly plodding territory during its lengthy middle stretch. Know that this is the kind of narrative that refuses to rush, preferring instead to lay out its puzzle pieces with meticulous, almost methodical care. While there are certainly jolts of action and pockets of genuine suspense, Crime 101 isn’t designed to be an adrenaline rush. It’s not quite a slow burn either - more of a steady simmer that builds. Still, the underlying intrigue is strong enough that you want to keep watching, eager to see how these disparate threads eventually knot together. The cast more than carries the weight of the film’s character-driven structure. Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo deliver predictably strong work, grounding their roles with charisma and subtlety. But it’s Halle Berry who quietly steals the entire operation, giving the film its emotional anchor and injecting her scenes with gravitas. The supporting appearances add even more flavour - from the welcome gravelly presence of Nick Nolte to Barry Keoghan’s bleach-blond, loose-cannon energy. Keoghan, in particular, is a whirlwind of unpredictable danger, shaking the film awake every time he steps into the frame. So while Crime 101 isn’t reinventing the crime genre or carving out a new masterpiece, it offers a stylish and well-crafted solid tale of intrigue. And that’s more than enough to sink your teeth into for two-and-a-half hours!