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    Four Brothers
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    Four Brothers

    United States flagUnited States

    "Four brothers. One mother. No mercy."

    2005 1h 49m English, Spanish
    68%

    User Score

    230,000 votes

    Community

    Overview

    When their adoptive mother is gunned down in a Detroit convenience store, four brothers reunite in the city they left behind. Bobby, Angel, Jeremiah, and Jack Mercer are a study in contrasts: a hot-headed ex-con, a family man, a musician, and a young wildcard. Raised together by a woman who gave them a second chance, they share a bond that blood alone can't explain. Directed by John Singleton, this action crime thriller stars Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, André 3000, and Garrett Hedlund as the brothers, with Terrence Howard and Josh Charles as the lawmen trying to keep the peace. Shot on location in Detroit, the film carries a gritty, working-class energy that matches its revenge-fueled plot. Produced by Paramount Pictures on a $45 million budget, it earned over $92 million worldwide, a solid return that reflected its popularity with audiences. The movie leans into its R rating with violent confrontations and raw language, but at its core, it's a story about family loyalty and the lengths people go to for the ones they love. Critics were split, but viewers gave it a 6.8 out of 10 rating, suggesting it hit the mark for fans of the genre.

    Singleton, fresh off the success of Baby Boy, returned to the director's chair after a four-year break focusing on producing and TV. He wanted to capture the authentic decay and resilience of Detroit, and the production team shot almost entirely on location, using real neighborhoods to ground the story. The cast chemistry was immediate, especially between Wahlberg and Gibson, who developed a brotherly rapport that translates on screen. André 3000, making his major acting debut after his music career with OutKast, brought a quiet intensity to Jeremiah, while Sofía Vergara, then known for comedy, took on a dramatic role as his girlfriend. The film's soundtrack, composed by David Arnold, blended orchestral themes with hip-hop tracks, including contributions from OutKast, which added another layer of urban texture.

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    PlotSpoiler-free

    Evelyn Mercer, a Detroit woman known for taking in troubled kids, is murdered during what looks like a random convenience store robbery. Her four adopted sons, each with a different background and personality, return to the city for her funeral. Bobby, the eldest, has a criminal record and a short fuse. Angel is a devoted husband and father trying to keep his family safe. Jeremiah is a musician living with his girlfriend Sofi, and Jack is the youngest, still figuring out his path. They all share a deep love for the woman who gave them a second chance, and they're not satisfied with the police's quick dismissal of the case as a simple street crime.

    Detective Fowler and Lieutenant Green lead the investigation, but the brothers sense something off. The robbery was too precise, the killers too professional. Driven by grief and a need for justice, they start their own search. Bobby's old contacts in the underworld become useful, while Angel wrestles with the risk to his family. Jeremiah taps into his music connections, and Jack's raw energy pushes them forward. As they dig, they uncover a conspiracy that reaches into the city's power structures. The murder wasn't random; Evelyn knew something that got her killed.

    The brothers' quest turns into a violent cat-and-mouse game. They face corrupt cops, hired hitmen, and the shadowy figure behind it all. The line between justice and revenge blurs as they get closer to the truth. Each brother must confront his past and decide how far he's willing to go. The tension builds to a series of brutal confrontations that test their loyalty and their survival. The story is a raw, emotional ride through Detroit's underbelly, where family means everything and the system often fails those who need it most.

    Ending ExplainedSpoilers

    Trailers

    Four Brothers - Trailer

    Critical Reception

    Critical Consensus

    While Four Brothers delivers visceral action and strong performances from its ensemble cast, particularly Mark Wahlberg and Tyrese Gibson, it struggles with a predictable plot and excessive reliance on clichés. Director John Singleton captures the grit of Detroit effectively, but the film's moral ambiguity and formulaic revenge narrative prevent it from rising above standard genre fare, resulting in a mixed critical reception that audiences found more enjoyable than critics did.

    Top Cast

    Mark Wahlberg

    Mark Wahlberg

    Bobby Mercer

    Tyrese Gibson

    Tyrese Gibson

    Angel Mercer

    André 3000

    André 3000

    Jeremiah Mercer

    Garrett Hedlund

    Garrett Hedlund

    Jack Mercer

    Fionnula Flanagan

    Fionnula Flanagan

    Evelyn Mercer

    Terrence Howard

    Terrence Howard

    Lt. Green

    Josh Charles

    Josh Charles

    Detective Fowler

    Taraji P. Henson

    Taraji P. Henson

    Camille Mercer

    Sofía Vergara

    Sofía Vergara

    Sofi

    Chiwetel Ejiofor

    Chiwetel Ejiofor

    Victor Sweet

    Crew

    Director

    John Singleton

    Writers

    David Elliot, Paul Lovett

    Composer

    David Arnold

    Cinematographer

    Peter Menzies Jr.

    Producer

    Lorenzo di Bonaventura

    Awards

    NAACP Image Awards (2006)

    Outstanding Motion Picture: Nominated

    NAACP Image Awards (2006)

    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Nominated

    NAACP Image Awards (2006)

    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Nominated

    BET Awards (2006)

    Best Movie: Nominated

    Teen Choice Awards (2006)

    Choice Movie - Action Adventure: Nominated

    Black Reel Awards (2006)

    Best Breakthrough Performance: Nominated

    Black Reel Awards (2006)

    Best Soundtrack: Nominated

    Keywords

    robberysibling relationshiparbitrary lawadoptive motherrevengemurderdetroit, michiganduringcreditsstingerinterracial adoption

    Sources

    Facts

    Status
    Released
    Original Language
    English
    Budget
    $45,000,000
    Revenue
    $92,374,674
    Director
    John Singleton
    Production
    Paramount Pictures, di Bonaventura Pictures
    Filming Locations
    Detroit, Michigan

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