I attended a special screening of Crime 101 at the Columbia Pictures mini theater ahead of its theatrical release — an intimate setting that suited a film built more on tension than spectacle.

Directed and written by Bart Layton and based on the novella by Don Winslow, Crime 101 is a deliberate return to classic heist storytelling. Columbia Pictures brings the film to theaters on Feb. 18, offering audiences a composed alternative to the heavier romantic dramas and horror titles currently in cinemas.

Set in Los Angeles, the story centers on a cat-and-mouse game between a highly intelligent thief and a detective determined to track him down. This is not an action film driven by nonstop explosions or graphic violence. It is more mental than physical — more strategy than spectacle. The tension unfolds in quiet confrontations and measured moves rather than chaos.

The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, and Barry Keoghan — a strong lineup that understands exactly what kind of film this is.

Hemsworth plays his role with restraint, clearly attempting to blend into the background. But Chris Hemsworth has a presence that simply refuses to disappear. Even when he tones it down, you still feel him in every frame.

Ruffalo steps into familiar territory as the detective — quiet, slightly awkward, almost mumbling at times. It is a character type he has mastered over the years, and here it provides steadiness at the center of the investigation.

Berry returns to theaters in Crime 101, and it is genuinely good to see her back in this kind of role. Beyond looking effortlessly poised, she brings control and confidence to her performance. There is a quiet authority in the way she carries herself onscreen — steady, composed, and grounded — and it adds weight to several of the film’s key moments.

Barry Keoghan, meanwhile, brings an unpredictable edge. There is something in his performance that keeps you watching closely, almost waiting for something to implode. That tension works in the film’s favor.

The pacing is deliberate. It is not a fast-moving thriller, and seasoned viewers may find the plot somewhat predictable. I personally found myself wishing for sharper, wittier exchanges between the characters — more verbal tension to match the strategic maneuvering. The film does not attempt to reinvent the genre or shock with dramatic twists. But perhaps that is not its goal.

Not every film needs to surprise you; some just need to hold your attention — and this one does.

"Crime 101' opens on Feb. 18. (Margaret Siytangco)