Runtime1h 43mGenreCrime, Drama, Mystery, ThrillerDirected byRaul PerezWritten byKevin J. Kelley, Raul PerezStarringDustin Harnish, Dominique Marsell, Dorien WilsonDistributed byBuffalo 8Release DateOn demand February 7, 2025 on Amazon, Fandango at Home, Spectrum, Charter, Cox, Xfinity, and Tubi, and more.
‘The 4 Points’ Review: Exposing the Gritty Underbelly of LA Crime
'The 4 Points' offers adrenaline-pumping moments while exploring more heartfelt themes of redemption and brotherhood.
Beyond the bright lights of Hollywood is a grittier, less fairytale-like part of town that many avoid for good reason. This stretch of the city, which was once considered the gang capital of the world, acts as a playground for those up to no good. Filmmaker Raul Perez examines this seedy underbelly in the independent crime drama The 4 Points. Not only is The 4 Points a passion project for Perez, which he has spent years in various stages of production, but it also marks his narrative feature film debut.
Rival Gang Members Turned Unlikely Partners
Co-written with longtime friend Kevin J. Kelley, Perez draws audiences into the world of high-stakes crime where murder rates are skyrocketing. Two former gang rivals turned LAPD detectives, Shane Murphy (Dustin Harnish) and Dre Allen (Dominique Marsell), know these streets well. After all, they came of age in the city’s most violent neighborhood, referred to as The 4 Points. After a startling number of murders catch the attention of the police commissioner, Detectives Murphy and Allen are assigned to a “two-man task force” to investigate the root cause. As the duo digs deeper into the darkness, they quickly get tangled up in a deadly web of secrets, gang violence, and betrayal. Their attempt to save the city from The 4 Points could be the very thing that kills them both.
A Character-Driven Crime Saga Anchored by Strong Performances
The 4 Points doesn’t shy away from depicting graphic moments on screen, including violence and drug use. This sensitive subject matter is handled with care by lead actors Dustin Harnish and Dominique Marsell. Unflinching in their portrayal of formerly troubled men who have turned their lives around, they command this indie film. The psychological toll their portrayal evokes is visceral and deeply felt.
While gripping, there are a couple of moments that can take the viewer out of the experience. For instance, the sound mix is off in certain scenes. The quick escalation from soft dialogue to elevated and startling sound effects can cause quite a jumpscare. Visually, however, is where The 4 Points experiments with stylistic choices that pay off. The camera’s choreography dances around characters and the decision to go handheld over static shots adds a sense of urgency that perfectly compliments the film.
Takeaway
In addition to its adrenaline-pumping moments, The 4 Points also offers a heartfelt undercurrent that explores themes of redemption and brotherhood. Winner of “Best Indie Feature” at the San Francisco International Film Awards, The 4 Points is now available on VOD.
