Saagar Kote
Directed by Bart Layton, ‘Crime 101’ revolves around Davis (Chris Hemsworth), a jewel thief in LA, hoping to perform a dangerous heist. He is known for his precise skills and ability to hoodwink law enforcement. To achieve his latest target, he befriends Sharon (Halle Berry), an insurance broker willing to break the rules. Davis’s ambitious plans catch the attention of LAPD Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo), who is determined to apprehend the master thief at any cost. Davis has his eyes on a shipment of diamonds that he thinks is within his grasp, but unexpected challenges threaten to derail his grand scheme.
As the cops and robbers play a deadly cat-and-mouse game, luck and fate may have their own role to play. Based on the novella of the same name by Don Winslow, the crime thriller is an engaging and adrenaline-fueled ride. In this list, we bring you movies similar to ‘Crime 101’ that feature unique characters and action-packed sequences.
10. American Heist (2014)
‘American Heist’ is the story of Frankie Kelly (Adrien Brody), a loving brother who takes the fall for the crimes he and his sibling, James Jimmy Kelly (Hayden Christensen), were involved in. While Frankie serves time in prison, James has the opportunity to build a life of his own with his lover Emily (Jordana Brewster). The situation changes when Frankie is released from prison and starts thinking about the future. With nowhere left to go, Frankie persuades James to team up for a bank heist and secure their future.
The brothers find themselves in a tricky position as the heist throws curveballs they never saw coming. Helmed by Sarik Andreasyan, the action drama is based on Charles Guggenheim and John Stix’s directorial ‘The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery.’ The narrative resembles ‘Crime 101’ due to its unpredictability, heist sequences, visual tone, and the motivations of the characters.
9. Wheelman (2017)
Netflix’s ‘Wheelman’ focuses on the trials and tribulations of an exceptionally talented heist driver known simply as “Wheelman” (Frank Grillo). His skills make him useful to criminal gangs willing to perform grand and high-risk robberies. The Wheelman is unexpectedly betrayed after a bank robbery and faces a significant threat. His primary motivation is to protect his ex-wife, Jessica (Wendy Moniz), and his daughter, Katie (Caitlin Carmichael), who have become unwilling participants in a larger criminal scheme. To find out who betrayed him and protect his loved ones, the Wheelman is forced to use his deadly skills in an uphill battle against other criminals. Directed by Jeremy Rush, the action thriller complements the world of ‘Crime 101’ through its depiction of desperation during a heist, the cost of crime, and the element of redemption.
8. Triple 9 (2016)
Directed by John Hillcoat, ‘Triple 9’ chronicles the adventures of a crew of corrupt Atlanta cops and criminals, led by former special forces operator Terrell Thompkins (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The crew members are blackmailed by the Russian Mob, headed by Irina Vaslov (Kate Winslet). Vaslov kidnaps Terrell’s family and forces him to take part in a robbery targeting secret government files. To stage an “officer down” distraction, the crew targets rookie Chris Allen (Casey Affleck), who unexpectedly survives and grows suspicious. As police investigate the mob and corruption, the crew faces increasing pressure as internal conflicts take shape. The action thriller, through its portrayal of deception, heist skills, character tensions, and a deadly cat-and-mouse game, is connected to ‘Crime 101.’
7. Dragged Across Concrete (2018)
‘Dragged Across Concrete’ is the tale of a cop named Anthony Lurasetti (Vince Vaughn), who teams up with Detective Brett Ridgeman (Mel Gibson), his older colleague. Their lives take a dark turn when they are abruptly fired by their superiors after a video surfaces showing them engaging in violence when dealing with a case. Feeling betrayed by their colleagues, Brett and Anthony decide to cross moral lines and engage with the criminal underworld to claim the money they believe they are owed. As the two seek their own form of redemption, unforeseen elements threaten to halt their ambitions. Helmed by S. Craig Zahler, the crime thriller, akin to ‘Crime 101,’ is about characters willing to risk it all in the crime world to achieve their goals. The visual elements and the redemptive arcs connect the two stories on a greater level.
6. Hell or High Water (2016)
‘Hell or High Water’ is a crime drama that centers on divorced father Toby Howard (Chris Pine) and his brother Tanner Howard (Ben Foster), a former convict. The two face foreclosure on their ranch’s mortgage, running out of survival options. To make a living and save their land, they take part in a crime spree targeting Texas Midland bank branches. As their ambitions grow, their acts come under the radar of Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his deputy, Alberto Parker (Gil Birmingham). What follows is a brutal game of egos between the cops and the criminals as their converging paths take them on a wild ride of destruction and violence. The David Mackenzie directorial is a companion piece to ‘Crime 101’ as it examines the line between criminals and cops through hesitations and the idea of survival in a broken world.
5. Inside Man (2006)
Directed by Spike Lee, ‘Inside Man’ is the story of a master thief named Dalton Russell (Clive Owen), who successfully robs a bank in Manhattan by taking civilians hostage. With Dalton still inside the bank, the chaos escalates into a crisis and leads to a tense standoff between Dalton and the hostage negotiator, Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington). As Keith and Dalton try to handle the situation, the bank’s founder enlists the help of a fixer, Madeleine White (Jodie Foster), to recover something of strategic value. The hostage negotiation takes ugly turns as disturbing truths lurk in the shadows, threatening to upend the reality of everyone involved. The crime thriller is a layered and entertaining narrative that captures the essence of ‘Crime 101’ through its commentary on greed and ambition in the criminal world and the ego battle between thieves and cops.
4. Den of Thieves (2018)
‘Den of Thieves’ narrates the experiences of Detective Nick O’Brien (Gerard Butler) from the LA County Sheriff’s Department, leading an elite police squad. He targets a group of thieves led by the dangerous and enigmatic Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber). The robbers plan a miraculous heist to steal untraceable money from the LA branch of the Federal Reserve. Despite the considerable dangers, Ray remains steadfast in executing the plan and turning his life around. The intensifying conflict evolves into a brutal urban confrontation between Nick and Ray as their egos enter the equation. With uncertainty and danger escalating, both men are forced to make difficult decisions. Directed by Christian Gudegast, the action crime movie complements ‘Crime 101’ with its focus on urban battles, the ego between cops and criminals, and the unpredictability of heists.
3. The Town (2010)
‘The Town’ follows Douglas MacRay (Ben Affleck) and his masked crew after a successful Boston bank robbery, where they briefly take bank manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) hostage. After her release, Claire is questioned by Special Agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm). Unbeknownst to her, Douglas has developed feelings for her during the heist. He begins watching her and meets her as a stranger, keeping his true identity a secret. As Douglas and Claire grow closer, Adam intensifies his investigation.
The crime thriller, directed by Ben Affleck, becomes a tense convergence of personal feelings and professional threats as Douglas is forced to make perilous decisions to pursue his complicated romance. Based on Chuck Hogan’s novel ‘Prince of Thieves,’ the narrative is poignantly related to ‘Crime 101’ with its intense portrayal of urban realities, the minds of criminals, the relentless efforts of law enforcement to stop crime, and the complex human dynamics involved in heists.
2. Thief (1981)
‘Thief’ revolves around the trials and tribulations of Frank (James Caan), a professional jewel thief, navigating the criminal underworld of Chicago. He intends to leave his criminal life behind and start afresh. However, his existing relationships with others in the underworld make it nearly impossible for him to secure freedom. Frank’s desire for liberation is further complicated by his involvement with a gangster named Leo (Robert Prosky), who hopes Frank can execute daring heists and secure large profits for the business. As Frank navigates a romantic connection with Jessie (Tuesday Weld), he must also come to terms with his reality and take difficult decisions to redeem himself.
Inspired by the memoir ‘The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar’ by Frank Hohimer, the action thriller is a nuanced take on meaning and purpose. Directed by Michael Mann, it shares similarities with ‘Crime 101’ in its complex take on the skills behind heists, action sequences, and the deep study of a criminal’s mindset.
1. Heat (1995)
‘Heat’ revolves around professional bank robber Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) and his crew, who conduct major heists in LA. After one robbery ends in homicide, LAPD Robbery Homicide Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) becomes obsessed with stopping them. As their personal lives and professional duties intertwine, both Neil and Vincent are drawn into unexpected situations that force them to question their choices and methods. As the two men enter a complex battle of egos, their own lives and those of those close to them hang in the balance.
Through urban battles, deceptive schemes, and relentless chases, Neil and Vincent try to outdo each other in increasingly risky ways in the crime drama directed by Michael Mann and based on his television film ‘L.A. Takedown.’ The dynamics between Neil and Vincent in the narrative are similar to the equation between Davis and Lou Lubesnick in ‘Crime 101’. Both movies feature dangerous chases, claustrophobic standoffs, and similar visual flavors.
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