February 19, 2026 – A group of strangers collide violently in a crime caper caused by greedy criminals, greedy businessmen, and their victims, in this cops and robbers story that isn't as realistic as it seems at first.

This story reminds me a bit of “Heat” (1995). Mike Davis (played by Chris Hemsworth of “Thor”) is a thief who eschews violence, has never been caught, leaves no evidence behind in his carefully planned and executed robberies. He is nearly killed in a robbery and decides to turn down the next planned robbery because of risk. His fence, played by veteran actor Nick Nolte, persuades another, far more reckless, robber, Ormon (played by Barry Keoghan of “Saltburn”) to take over the robbery that Mike has turned down.

After Ormon successfully completes the robbery, he is told by the fence to follow Mike, find out about Mike's next robbery, then kill him and take the money he has stolen. Mike sees that Ormon is following him and tells Ormon he will kill him if he sees him again, but Ormon finds another way to track Mike's next robbery.

Another person caught up in this action is world-weary detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo of “Dark Waters”). Lou has a theory that a whole string of robberies that happen along Highway 101 have all been committed by one man. He is right, but nobody in the department agrees with him. He doggedly pursues the unknown robber, getting closer to identifying him with each passing day.

Another person caught up in this situation is insurance executive Sharon (Halle Berry of “John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum”). Sharon is frustrated at being passed over for promotions she was promised. Mike is aware of her frustration and approaches her with a business proposition. Give him the information he needs for a high-profit robbery and he will give her a piece of the action.

Another person indirectly involved in this mess is Maya (Monica Barbaro of “A Complete Unknown”). Maya is dating Mike but knows that he is keeping a lot of secrets from her. The robbery scheme comes to a violent conclusion. The end of the story is satisfying, but only because it is the kind of ending that is typical of Hollywood movies. The ending is not realistic, but it is satisfying. It isn't reality, but it is the way that things ought to be.

This movie is written and directed by, Bart Layton (“American Animals”) based on a novella of the same name by Don Winslow (“Savages”). The movie is well paced, and well acted by a talented cast. It evokes both the wealthy halls of power and the gritty dark side of Los Angeles. This movie rates a B.

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