Thescreescore – Chris Hemsworth has kicked off his 2026 cinematic calendar with a bang, as his latest R-rated venture, Crime 101, not only captivates audiences but also extends an impressive run of critical and audience acclaim for the Australian star. The gritty thriller, which premiered in theaters on Friday, February 13th, has garnered a robust 85% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, marking it as the fifth consecutive film in Hemsworth’s recent repertoire to achieve significant approval from viewers.
This remarkable sequence of well-received projects commenced in 2022 following Thor: Love and Thunder, which, despite a 63% Critics’ Score, resonated strongly with audiences, earning a 76% Popcornmeter rating. Hemsworth’s subsequent roles have largely mirrored this success: Extraction 2 (2023) secured 80% from critics and 84% from audiences, while Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) boasted an exceptional 90% critics’ consensus and 88% audience approval. The animated Transformers One (2024) further solidified this trend with 89% from critics and a stellar 97% from the public.
Crime 101 itself, while earning a commendable 86% from critics, saw its audience score settle just slightly below at 85%. This performance continues a pattern of strong audience engagement for Hemsworth’s projects, even if not always surpassing the critical consensus for every single film in the streak. The last time a Hemsworth-led project received a "rotten" designation from audiences was the 2022 thriller Spiderhead, which registered a mere 30% on the Popcornmeter against a 39% Critics’ Score.
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Despite its critical and audience favorability, Crime 101‘s initial box office performance has presented a challenge. The film debuted with a domestic take of $17.7 million during its opening weekend, contending with significant competition from the simultaneous release of Wuthering Heights, a romantic drama starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
However, the film’s artistic merit has not gone unnoticed. In a review for thescreescore.com, critic Gregory Nussen lauded Crime 101, stating that it "works more often than it doesn’t, and if nothing else it is extremely exciting to have an original crime film in the vein of New Hollywood’s best." This R-rated thriller was skillfully directed and co-written by Bart Layton, adapting Don Winslow’s acclaimed novel, with Peter Straughan also contributing to the screenplay.
Beyond Hemsworth’s compelling performance, Crime 101 features a stellar ensemble cast including Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, and Mark Ruffalo. Fans of Hemsworth won’t have to wait long for his next major appearance, as he is slated to reprise his iconic role as Thor in Avengers: Doomsday, set to electrify screens on December 18, 2026. Co-star Mark Ruffalo is also making a highly anticipated return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026, with his character appearing in Spider-Man: Brand New Year on July 31. Crime 101 is currently available for viewing in theaters, offering a gripping cinematic experience.
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