Bart Layton, the British filmmaker renowned for his innovative documentary work, returns with a new adult crime drama titled Crime 101, starring Chris Hemsworth as a reserved jewel thief. The film, released this week, is set in Los Angeles and intertwines the lives of an elusive criminal, a weary insurance broker played by Halle Berry, a dogged detective portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, and a young ambitious thief brought to life by Barry Keoghan. Adapted from Don Winslow’s novella, Layton expands the story into a layered narrative showcasing these interconnected characters and their struggles.
Chris Hemsworth crime drama fans will find this project notably different from the actor’s usual roles, as the film explores complex human relationships and emotional depths rather than conventional action sequences. Alongside Hemsworth, the cast includes Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte, complementing the film’s gritty atmosphere and nuanced storytelling.
From Documentary Roots to a Complex Narrative Landscape
Bart Layton first made a mark with his 2012 debut documentary, The Imposter, which detailed the story of Frederic Bourdin, a French con artist impersonating the missing Texan boy Nicholas Barclay. This groundbreaking film garnered critical acclaim and was shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Layton later transitioned to narrative filmmaking with the 2018 feature American Animals, featuring emerging stars such as Barry Keoghan and Evan Peters, alongside veteran actors like Ann Dowd and Udo Kier.
His latest project, Crime 101, builds on this experience by weaving together distinct storylines that converge in surprising and intense ways, showcasing Layton’s skill in blending character-driven drama with thrilling crime elements.
Expanding Don Winslow’s Novella Into a Full-Length Feature
Layton discusses the initial appeal of Don Winslow’s novella, describing it as a concise 50-page short story with a solid beginning, middle, and end. The novella’s clever storytelling inspired Layton to develop a feature film with an expansive scope and rich character detail, evoking the spirit of classic adult crime dramas from the ’80s and ’90s that he admired growing up.
He explains,
“I saw places where I could expand the characters and introduce new ones, expand the plot, change the ending, but I still had a great basis on which to build.”
Layton was motivated to create a film that fills a noticeable gap in modern theaters, offering audiences a mature and emotionally intense crime story.
Portraying Real People With Complex Emotional Lives
Rather than embracing the typical action-hero bravado, Layton deliberately shapes his characters to feel authentic and vulnerable. He points out that everyone in the cast underplays their roles, contributing to the film’s grounded tone, except for Barry Keoghan’s character who is intentionally overt and unsettling.
The film emphasizes relationships and their impact on human behavior, especially evident in Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of the flawed detective. Layton highlights the chemistry between Ruffalo’s character and Monica Barbaro’s Maya, describing how their interactions reveal both hope and struggle within the storyline.
Crafting a Subdued and Nuanced Performance from Chris Hemsworth
Transforming Chris Hemsworth into a subdued and introverted jewel thief posed a unique challenge for Layton, as the actor is widely recognized for his powerful and charismatic roles like Thor. To create a more ordinary and reserved persona, Layton and Hemsworth conducted extensive research, speaking with real jewel thieves—many with troubled pasts marked by foster care, absent fathers, and addiction.
Layton recounts,
“He holds himself in a different way, his voice is not the booming Thor voice—it’s something more caught in the chest.”
Hemsworth worked closely with a dialogue coach to ensure his portrayal avoided any hint of his typical heroic persona. The director notes the deliberate choice to darken Hemsworth’s hair and neutralize other signature traits to support this transformation, while admitting, “He’s still sexy as fuck.”
Barry Keoghan’s Unpredictable and Electrifying Presence
Barry Keoghan, who previously worked with Layton on American Animals, was brought into Crime 101 with a character tailored specifically for him. Keoghan’s background from Dublin’s tough neighborhoods and foster care system informs the role’s dangerous unpredictability and raw vulnerability.
Layton praises Keoghan’s performance as electric, describing it as
“unmatchable danger, unpredictability, vulnerability, like a cornered child,”
and admires the combination of unearned confidence layered with deep insecurity that Keoghan embodies, adding a volatile energy to the film’s dynamics.
Halle Berry’s Role Reflects Personal Resonance
Halle Berry portrays a woman in her 50s grappling with newfound limitations imposed by the world—a character that resonated deeply with the actress. Layton shares that Berry expressed,
“I don’t just know how to play this character; I’ve been her,”
reflecting a personal connection to the role that enriches her portrayal with authenticity and emotional depth.
Distinct Visual Styles Differentiate Each Character’s Narrative
To help audiences navigate the complex interweaving storylines, Layton employed distinct visual languages for each major character. Chris Hemsworth’s scenes begin with precise, controlled camera movements using steady platforms like dolly tracks and steadicam, reflecting his character’s carefully constructed life, but gradually shift toward more chaotic cinematography as the film progresses.
Halle Berry’s segments feature settings steeped in the clinical glass and chrome of Los Angeles’s wealthy elite, while Mark Ruffalo’s scenes have a raw, earthy quality. As the narratives converge, these visual styles blend, mirroring the characters’ evolving relationships and conflicts.
Nick Nolte’s Iconic Presence Embraced With Authenticity
Despite Nick Nolte’s legendary status, Layton approached directing him like any other actor, fostering a collaborative environment grounded in thorough character research. Nolte delved into the realities of the “fence” role he plays, seeking to understand the real-life individuals who work in this underworld.
Layton remarks on Nolte’s dedication, saying that sometimes Nolte’s portrayal needed to be tempered for balance, reminding himself not to be intimidated by the actor’s stature to keep the character grounded within the film’s gritty world.
Monica Barbaro’s Character Maya Brings Hope and Humanity
Monica Barbaro’s Maya is portrayed as the most relatable and grounded figure in the story, offering a compassionate counterpoint to the film’s darker elements. Layton explains Maya’s significance as a free spirit who challenges Chris Hemsworth’s character to reconsider the “prison” of isolation he has built around himself.
She represents the possibility of genuine connection and emotional safety, providing a crucial element of hope within the intense crime drama’s narrative landscape.
Documentary Techniques Infuse the Film With Unpredictable Realism
Layton draws on his documentary filmmaking expertise to inject authenticity and immediacy into key scenes of Crime 101. One robbery sequence, for example, is shot to feel raw and unpredictable by positioning the camera as if capturing live, unplanned events—mimicking documentary style rather than conventional choreographed action.
By employing this method, Layton allows viewers to experience the tension and danger firsthand, heightening the film’s immersive quality and emotional impact.
Future Projects and Continuing Ambitions
Looking ahead, Layton hints at a potential next project titled Rogue Male, indicating his ongoing commitment to exploring dark, complex stories within the crime and thriller genres. His work on Crime 101 establishes him as a distinctive voice capable of blending intense character studies with compelling narrative thrills.
