Chris Hemsworth Keeps Rotten Tomatoes Streak Alive With Latest Crime Thriller
It is rare in Hollywood to find actors who seem to always be in quality films. Right now, Chris Hemsworth is proving to be one of those actors. The Australian star is on an impressive run, with his last five films earning strong audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, even when critics are less enthusiastic.
His latest film, the R-rated thriller Crime 101, continues this trend. Audiences are enjoying the movie, but its positive reception hasn’t translated into a massive box office haul, highlighting the complex relationship between audience approval and commercial success.
Chris Hemsworth’s Hot Streak with Audiences
Chris Hemsworth has cultivated a loyal fanbase that shows up for his projects, and the Rotten Tomatoes “Popcornmeter” reflects that. The audience score for Crime 101 is currently sitting at a solid 85%, making it the fifth consecutive film where viewers have given Hemsworth a passing grade.
This streak highlights a fascinating trend in his recent filmography: audiences often like his movies more than professional critics do. Let’s look at the numbers:
| Movie Title | Critics’ Score | Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
| Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) | 63% | 76% |
| Extraction 2 (2023) | 80% | 84% |
| Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) | 90% | 88% |
| Transformers One (2024) | 89% | 97% |
| Crime 101 (2026) | 86% | 85% |
As the table shows, even when a film like Thor: Love and Thunder received a mixed critical reception, audiences were significantly more forgiving. Hemsworth seems to have a knack for choosing projects that, regardless of their critical acclaim, deliver exactly what his fans are looking for: action, charisma, and entertainment. The last film he starred in that received a “rotten” designation from audiences was 2022’s Spiderhead, which landed with a disappointing 30% on the Popcornmeter.
The Challenge of Crime 101
Despite strong reviews from both critics (86%) and audiences (85%), Crime 101 has had a surprisingly soft start at the box office. The film debuted to an estimated $17.7 million over the four-day holiday weekend. For a movie with a reported $90 million production budget and a star-studded cast including Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo, that’s an underwhelming number.
So, what happened? Several factors contributed to the film’s slow start.
First, it faced stiff competition. Crime 101 opened on the same weekend as Emerald Fennell’s highly anticipated Wuthering Heights and the surprisingly strong animated feature GOAT. With Wuthering Heights targeting a similar adult demographic and GOAT cornering the family market, Crime 101 was squeezed in the middle.
Second, the film is an R-rated crime noir. This genre, while often critically acclaimed, can be a tough sell for mainstream audiences compared to a broad action-comedy or a superhero flick. The film’s dark and serious tone may have limited its appeal, especially on a Valentine’s Day weekend where lighter fare often prevails. Amazon MGM Studios, which backed the project, is likely hoping the film has a long theatrical life, buoyed by its positive word-of-mouth, before it eventually lands on Prime Video.
What This Means for Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth’s career is at an interesting crossroads. He has successfully moved beyond his iconic role as Thor, proving his versatility in everything from high-octane action films like Extraction 2 to voice work in animated blockbusters like Transformers One.
His current Rotten Tomatoes streak proves he has his finger on the pulse of what audiences want to see. He delivers reliable entertainment, and his fans reward him for it with their approval. However, the box office performance of Crime 101 is a reminder that star power and good reviews don’t always guarantee a blockbuster opening.
The modern box office is a complex beast, influenced by release dates, marketing, competition, and overall audience mood. While Crime 101 may not be a commercial smash hit, it adds another well-received film to Hemsworth’s resume. It reinforces his reputation as an actor who consistently delivers quality work, even if the financial returns aren’t always record-breaking. For Hemsworth and his fans, that consistency is a victory in itself.
