An ‘enthralling’ crime thriller that many have likened to a Robert De Niro starring classic has announced its streaming release date and platform.

Having only landed in cinemas earlier this year, the film will now be accessible to watch from the comfort of your own home just months later. Crime 101 will be available to stream on Prime Video from April 1.

According to its synopsis, the film unfolds against the sun-scorched backdrop of Los Angeles, weaving the tale of an elusive jewel thief whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have left police baffled.

When he sets his sights on the ultimate score, his path collides with that of a disillusioned insurance broker facing her own crossroads.

Meanwhile, a tenacious detective, convinced he has identified a pattern, believes he is closing in on his quarry, raising the stakes considerably higher.

As the heist draws near, the boundary between hunter and hunted begins to blur, leaving all three confronted with life-defining choices — and the dawning realisation that there can be no turning back , reports the Mirror.

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast headed by Thor’s Chris Hemsworth, alongside Halle Berry and fellow Marvel alumnus Mark Ruffalo. Further appearances come from Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte.

The picture is adapted from Don Winslow’s critically acclaimed novella of the same name, described by one reader as “an interesting short story from the master of crime fiction.” The screenplay written and directed by Bart Layton, who launched his career with the Banged Up Abroad docuseries and also directed American Animals.

Despite its restricted cinema release, it nevertheless managed to predominantly impress reviewers. The picture boasts an impressive 89% rating on website Rotten Tomatoes.

Critics lauded its traditional Hollywood sentimentality, with filmmaking expertise that is seldom witnessed on the big screen today.

Like one reviewer who stated: “Sleek and has just enough twists and turns to keep the audience engaged and wondering what the hell will happen next.”

With another noting: “It’s so rare to see studios bother with a well-plotted, crisply orchestrated crime picture that the film feels like a gift.”

Several drew comparisons to the action thriller, heist film classic Heat that featured Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in a cat and mouse narrative.

While enthusiasts of that original continue awaiting a frequently discussed sequel, some suggested Crime 101 is the nearest we’ve arrived thus far and the influences it adopts work to its benefit.

One critic wrote: “A thrilling, old fashioned crime drama, reminiscent of classics of the genre like Heat and The Thomas Crown Affair.” With another assessment noting: “If you can get past that it rips off Michael Mann’s Heat in many ways, large and small; this is an outstanding crime film.”

One concurred: “It’s much better than it has any right to be. You’ve already seen Heat a thousand times. You can take one night off and watch this enthralling crime drama instead.”

Meanwhile, another remarked: “It’s pacy and slick. And as you would hope from a film that makes a point of name checking the Steve McQueen car chase classic Bullitt, the asphalt of LA’s downtown highways takes some serious punishment.”

Crime 101 is streaming on Prime Video from April 1.