Halle Berry has revealed why her latest role in the crime thriller Crime 101 felt like a “perfect fit,” praising the film for addressing the harsh realities women face as they age in the industry, per film-news.co.uk.
The Oscar-winning actress, 59, stars as Sharon Combs, an insurance broker caught in a high-stakes heist plot. Speaking to Extra, Berry noted that the character’s struggle with systemic bias mirrors her own professional journey.
“Sexism and ageism are alive and well,” Berry remarked. “What I loved about Sharon was that she refused to be a victim. She handles it with strength, and I hope every woman who sees this movie feels just as empowered.”
The film features a heavyweight ensemble cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Barry Keoghan. Despite her decades in Hollywood, Berry admitted this was her first time working with Hemsworth, noting he “lived up to everything I’d ever heard about him.”
Berry has become an outspoken advocate for actresses “around those numbers” who often feel marginalised by the studio system.
“We’re not done at 50, 60, or even 70,” she told Variety. “I’m 60 this year and I feel like I’m just getting my second groove started.”
This defiant attitude translates directly to the screen. In one standout scene, Berry’s character tells a male superior to “shut the f*** up,” a moment the actress admitted felt cathartic to film.
“I’ve said that to a few of my bosses in my time,” Berry joked. “It feels amazing because it means I’m standing up for myself. That feels good every single time.”
Directed by Bart Layton, Crime 101 is already generating significant buzz for its sharp script and the immediate chemistry between its leads.
