TM: The 4 Points dives deep into gang violence, police corruption, and loyalty—what was the most compelling part of your character’s journey for you?
Dustin Harnish: “ Well, I have many service men and women in my family. From police officers to active military and former police officers, former military. I have a deep level of respect for our service men and women. Telling this story and playing this type of character has a special place in my heart. I’ve always wanted to play a cop who faces the struggles and moralities of serving that job.”
Dominique Marsell: Dre’s realization that leaving the streets behind and embracing the mentorship of the Captain ultimately put him on a better path was a defining moment for me.
Olga Aguilar: The most compelling aspect of my character, Maria, was her unwavering loyalty—not just to her family, but also to her husband’s career in law enforcement. Despite the constant dangers that threatened her loved ones, she remained steadfast in her support for her husband, his partner, and the brotherhood they shared. Her commitment to those she cared about, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, was truly moving to me.
TM: This film is intense and full of high stakes—was there a particular scene that was especially challenging or rewarding to shoot?
Dustin Harnish: “ one of the first scenes of this movie that we shot was in a warehouse where we are all sitting at a table and talking about the violence that is happening within The 4 Points. At the end of the scene, a shooting occurs where I am hit and Cruiser’s son is killed. At the time I was a new father, my daughter had just been born in the weeks prior. Acting out a scene where a child is killed really pulled on my heart strings.”
Dominique Marsell: For me the climax was challenging finding those beats to not only match Dorien’s character in the moment but technically allowing the suspense to unfold with many moving parts.
Jami Gomez: The first day was very rewarding for me, and challenging because it was my first time acting in a movie. My first scene helped me a lot and I will always remember. I was nervous and my first line I messed up. Dominique Marsell who played Det. Dre Allen saw I was nervous. He pulled me aside and told me “ forget about the cameras, the light , the people in the warehouse. See it as an empty warehouse, it’s just you and me. Let’s practice “ I used what he told me in every scene I did in the movie.
Olga Aguilar: One of the most challenging and rewarding moments to shoot was the scene where Maria learns that her husband, Shane, has been kidnapped. Rather than contacting the police, her immediate call is to his partner, Dre. In that moment, I truly felt the weight of Maria’s trust and the depth of her bond with Dre. It was a powerful realization that their relationship went beyond mere partnership—it was built on an unshakeable trust and loyalty.
TM: Every character in The 4 Points is shaped by their past. How do you think your character’s past defines their choices in the film?
Dustin Harnish: “As you know, from watching the movie, in the beginning, my character is portrayed as a young boy who had witnessed his parents death by overdose. He then became a street thug within the Latin gang community through his teenage years. Deciding later to become a law-enforcement officer, I feel that having that past, and knowing those characters from his past, allowed him to be an ambassador of peace between those communities and law-enforcement. He had to decide who he wanted to be, that’s extremely tough for any young man.”
Dominique Marsell: Dre and Shayne can identify to a degree with the plight of those that reside in The 4 Points so the balance of authority and comradery was something to consider.
Jami Gomez: As I read the script, Chopper was born in the violence of those streets. So his choices were made as a boy , as a man of the 4points, and could not ,would not show fear or have tolerance for anyone or anything.
Olga Aguilar: I envisioned Maria’s past as one rooted in a strong, loving, and tightly knit religious family. This foundation is crucial to understanding her choices throughout the film. Her unwavering commitment to her husband, Shane, despite the dangers of his job, comes from her deep understanding of how important his work is in keeping the community safe. Maria places her trust in God to protect her family, just as she trusts Shane and Dre to look out for each other and for the family. Without this grounding in faith and family, I believe her story and decisions would be entirely different.
TM: This movie doesn’t offer easy answers—if audiences walk away with one big question in their minds, what do you hope it is?
Dustin Harnish: “ well, I don’t want to give anything away for those who haven’t watched it yet, but there are a few survivors at the end who played pivotal parts in the plot. Will we see another installment of this storyline? We’ll see.”
Dominique Marsell: Power and control are always in play, but the real question is: from whose perspective?
Jami Gomez: This is a hard one , because everyone thinks differently. I would think people would ask what would corrupt each gang to be part of Mayor Steven’s plan. I think for Chopper and the Hard time locos it was money, business and being the top dogs of the 4points.
Olga Aguilar: II hope the big question audiences walk away with is: Who do we allow to represent our communities, and what does that really mean for us?
TM: Many of the characters in The 4 Points believe they are in control, but the reality is often different. Do you think your character is actually in charge of their own fate, or are they just surviving their circumstances?
Dustin Harnish: “I don’t believe any of us are in control although we’d like to think so. Waking up tomorrow is definitely not guaranteed. I have to believe that at least most of the characters believe that as well. So they’re probably surviving their circumstances.”
Dominique Marsell: Like anyone, Dre can only steer within the currents he’s caught in. Obstacles along the way may slow him down or throw him off course, but resilience is what keeps him moving forward.
Jami Gomez: I think every gang believed they were in control. I believe Mayor Steven’s was a manipulator and told each gang what they wanted to hear, to believe there were going to run all of the 4 points.
Olga Aguilar: I don’t believe anyone is truly in charge of their own fate. Instead, I think we’re all shaped by the circumstances of the choices we make. For Maria, it’s about trusting that God guides her down the right path, even when the journey is unpredictable and challenging. Her faith and decisions lead her, but ultimately, she’s navigating through the consequences of those choices.
TM: How did you first get involved with The 4 Points, and what was it about the script that made you want to be a part of this project? What was your experience working with Raúl Pérez as a first-time feature director?
Dustin Harnish: “ Raul and I made a short film earlier that year titled The Ice Cream Stop. After completing that movie, we had discussed a new story which would be called The 4 Points. After reading the script, I had a strong desire to tell that story because in the previous film, the ice cream stop, I played a bad cop, in The 4 Points. I would play a good guy with a deep experience, filled with loss, incredible challenge, and hope to change his communities‘s way of life for the better. Playing a character like that is every actor’s dream because it delivers the challenges of playing a person that really exists out there somewhere and has gone through those overwhelming challenges. That’s human, those are the stories I like to tell. I love working with Raul and I really feel that he is on to something, I feel that he’s going to do great things in this industry. He inspires me and challenges me, those are the type of people I want to work with.”
Dominique Marsell: My longtime friend Marcelle “Marty B” Baber introduced me to the project through his wife Vanessa, who’s cousins with Raúl. After the success of The Ice Cream Stop, I knew this was a team that could deliver. I just had to make sure I didn’t fumble the opportunity.
Jami Gomez: I got involved when I got a call from Raul who is a long time friend of 20+ years. He told me about the part and I accepted right away. I haven’t even read the script at that point yet. Even if I had one line or just stood there, I’d be proud, and honored to be a part of his dream , his project of his directorial debut. He helped me a lot with positive feedback, and help with my scenes. If he asked me again I’d do it in a heartbeat, cause a good friend , he’s like a brother.
Olga Aguilar: I was recommended for the role by Dustin Harnish, who suggested me to director Raúl Pérez. After speaking with Raúl, I was cast. At the time, I hadn’t read the entire script, but based on what I knew, I could tell it was going to be an exciting project to be a part of. The cast was fantastic, and that made it easy to say yes. Working with Raúl was a wonderful experience—he was incredibly approachable, and we instantly connected. He encouraged open communication, allowing us to share ideas and thoughts freely. I had the creative freedom to truly explore my character within the context of the story.
TM: The film’s visual style is raw and immersive—how did that influence your performance?
Dustin Harnish: “ Raul‘s style is very similar to that of David Ayer who is one of my personal favorites. I knew that when shooting this movie with him, it was going to give you a very realistic and visual sense. Telling a story like this, that’s what you need to execute its authenticity. It really allowed me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, knowing that the story that we were telling was going to feel real for somebody out there if not multiple people. That matters more than anything. Raul did a great job of making the process of shooting this movie feel very real, which intern made it feel real as an actor to tell the story, genuinely.”
Dominique Marsell: The world depicted in The 4 Points isn’t too far removed from my own experiences. It was second nature to step into that space.
Jami Gomez: Well knowing that Chopper was the leader of the Hard Time Locos, I knew I had to be hard, show no fear or mercy. Plus everyone in the cast and Raul gave me positive feedback when I had questions and helped me be a better Chopper.
Olga Aguilar: I was very familiar with Raúl’s vision for the film’s visual style, so it was easy to adjust and align my performance as we shot. Going into the project, I knew it would be raw and in-your-face, especially considering that Raúl and I both come from Los Angeles. That unpolished, immersive style felt natural and aligned with what I envisioned when I first read the script. It helped me stay grounded in the authenticity of the story.
TM: The 4 Points has a complex web of power struggles—what was the most interesting dynamic between your character and another in the film?
Dustin Harnish: “ I would have to say the dynamic between my character Shane and my partner Dominique’s character, Dre, along with Dorien Wilson’s character Mr. Stevens. The concept of betrayal and the element of surprise in this story in my opinion, is delicious material for anyone to consume I would think.”
Dominique Marsell: People wear different masks depending on the situation, and that deception can make it easy to overlook simple truths. Dre’s interactions forced me to think about the layers people present to protect themselves.
Olga Aguilar: Yes, there were moments when I questioned whether Maria was making the right choices. Her husband, Shane, is a detective, and from her perspective, that’s an incredibly dangerous job. I found myself wondering if there was ever a moment where Maria considered questioning him about his career and whether continuing down that path was truly the safest option for him—and for their family.