Detectives Confront Past in Crime Drama

Read Time:5 Minute, 6 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The 4 Points
–

Genre: Crime, Drama
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 43m
Director(s): Raul Perez
Writer(s): Raul Perez, Kevin J. Kelley
Cast: Dustin Harnish, Dominique Marsell, Dorien Wilson, Paul Logan, Ruben Pla
Where to Watch: It is available now on Amazon, Tubi, Fandango at Home, Verizon Fios/Vubiquity, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Xfinity, Mansa, Vyre Network, and others

RAVING REVIEW: What starts as a gritty throwback to street-level crime dramas quickly reveals itself as a film stuck between intention and execution. THE 4 POINTS combines a bold concept, a visually grounded approach, and two strong central performances, but it never quite nails the rhythm needed to connect fully. There's an unmistakable passion behind the camera, and you can feel the effort to honor a legacy of L.A.-set crime stories.

Instead of giving us a traditional buddy cop narrative, THE 4 POINTS uses its detectives as dual case studies in redemption and trauma. Shane Murphy and Dre Allen, two men pulled from opposite ends of the same troubled past, now serve as LAPD officers sent back to the neighborhood that shaped—and nearly broke—them. The case they’re assigned to unfolds in an atmosphere thick with mistrust, betrayal, and generational pain, all amplified by a spiking murder rate and the presence of a mysterious informant working from inside the department.

Dustin Harnish and Dominique Marsell perform much of the heavy lifting here. Their chemistry is key to keeping the story grounded. Harnish’s Murphy leans into quiet intensity, giving the impression of someone who’s lived through a thousand battles without saying much. On the other hand, Marsell's Allen strikes a careful balance between confidence and vulnerability, often acting as the film’s emotional compass. The friction between the two characters feels earned, and their shared history adds an extra layer to the unfolding tension.

Where the film gains points for character work, it struggles elsewhere—especially in technical execution. A good handheld style can add grit and realism to a project like this, but here, it sometimes feels more distracting than immersive. The camera's movement occasionally robs moments of their emotional weight, and a few scenes are unintentionally chaotic.

Tonally, THE 4 POINTS tries to explore serious social issues through its multigenerational crime story. Themes like loyalty, cycles of violence, and the weight of systemic neglect are part of the film’s DNA. However, despite aiming high with its story ambitions, the execution tends to skim rather than dig deep. These subjects beg for complexity, but we get glimmers of depth rather than full immersion.

The language choices in the script add some authenticity. Conversations shift organically between English and Spanish, giving us a real sense of place without feeling forced. That detail reflects the community it's set in and helps the film feel more rooted in reality. Still, the setting—this infamous four-block section of Los Angeles—never quite feels fully fleshed out. Given the film's focus on place and legacy, the city remains more backdrop than character, a missed opportunity.

There are flashes of what this movie could have been with a tighter grip on structure and tone. When Pérez focuses on the characters’ internal conflicts rather than the procedural mechanics of the plot, the film finds its pulse. The complicated bond between Allen and Murphy—rooted in shared trauma, mutual distrust, and an unspoken need for redemption—is where the story feels most alive.

In terms of what could have elevated THE 4 POINTS, more time spent developing the atmosphere would’ve made a major difference. The setting needed to feel lived-in and unpredictable, like a character always watching. Enhancing that sense of place could’ve helped amplify the characters’ anxieties and deepened the film’s stakes. Similarly, streamlining some of the film’s more chaotic visual choices and smoothing out the sound would have made for a more cohesive experience overall.

To its credit, the film doesn't pull punches when it comes to representing the violent undercurrent of its world. It acknowledges the hard truths of life in marginalized communities without turning those realities into spectacle. There's a rawness to its themes that deserves acknowledgment, even if the delivery doesn’t always stick the landing.

THE 4 POINTS feels like a film at war with itself. Its heart is in the right place, and you can sense the team behind it had a story they wanted to tell—one about survival, legacy, and the people caught in cycles they didn’t choose. The result is a movie that works in parts but not as a whole. There's something here to connect with for audiences looking for character-driven drama with rough edges.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of BIGFOX PICTURES, KELLEYLAND FILMS, BUFFALO 8 PRODUCTIONS]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.