This is the fourth installment in the Jesse Stone movie franchise, adapted from Robert B. Parker’s fifth book and following directly after 'Stone Cold'. The order of the films seems quite random; initially, only the first two felt out of sequence, but now it appears that all the adaptations have been jumbled. If the film series were presented chronologically, viewers would likely find it easier to follow along. I enjoyed the third film immensely, but this one didn’t resonate with me as much. It's still a decent movie, though not up to the standard of its predecessor. Jesse has returned to drinking because he lacks any meaningful cases—merely issuing parking tickets. His psychiatrist encourages him to find something productive to do in order to regain control. This prompts Jesse to investigate an old, unsolved crime from the early 1990s: a bank robbery. Jesse and his team discover new evidence while revisiting the fifteen-year-old crime scene and attempt to piece together what happened. He even visits the parents of the victims in a nearby town. In addition to this, he also handles a separate rape case. The direction the story takes and how it ultimately concludes are revealed in the final act—a crucial point for the series where some viewers might lose interest while others become invested enough to continue watching. I thought the first two acts were well-paced and on track, but I lost enthusiasm during the final segment, especially once I understood where the plot was headed. Overall, it’s a good film, and I won't dismiss it entirely. There are still more films planned, so there’s time for improvement, particularly since my expectations are high for the next one. This installment felt somewhat underwhelming, although perhaps it slowed down to re-establish a sense of normalcy. > "If you've got nothing to do, find something to do. If it's not important, make it important." It’s good to see Kohl Sudduth back in action, but after that tragic accident, his character feels different—almost unsettling and occasionally irritating. Sadly, Viola Davis has had a baby and relocated to Los Angeles, which likely marks the end of her involvement in the series. Kathy Baker has replaced her, and she seems like a much more effective addition to the cast; it’s also fitting for her to work alongside Jesse given their age difference. Tom Selleck remains excellent in his signature role, with no noticeable changes. His ex-wife's phone calls reappear, but they aren’t as disruptive as they were in earlier films. I appreciate that his drinking habit has returned to a familiar pattern. It seems many women are eager to enter his life, particularly after the divorce; these relationships become an unavoidable obstacle whenever he is focused on his work and needs to prioritize it. He must then decide what he requires for himself and for his job—a recurring theme in previous films. Many police procedurals feel obligated to include a gun battle to demonstrate violence. This one has one at the very end, a surprise addition intended to create a strong conclusion. Someone dies as a result, and the reason is quite obvious. Jesse also falls victim in a specific scene, which is unusual to witness because he’s typically highly observant of his surroundings. The film is well-written and directed with solid performances; it maintains stability within the series, but isn't its best offering. I appreciated the twist, though it wasn't particularly shocking. Jesse’s decision to close the case as he saw fit felt like a negative choice, although perhaps that’s justified for the film’s sake, if not in reality. You can't always expect moral stories, and maybe that's the point here. I don't understand why there's a dog in the house that serves no real purpose; Reggie seemed depressed, and it's unclear why he was portrayed that way. The events leading up to the end credits raise questions about Reggie’s role in the film, and I hope his character improves in future installments. The film has a degree of suspense, which will keep you engaged until the resolution. While the revelation wasn’t entirely satisfying, it reflects a deliberate simplicity rather than an attempt at complexity. As part of the Jesse Stone series, this installment is acceptable given the common ups and downs that occur within a franchise. The next film holds the key to carrying forward the rest of the series, so I'm eager to review it once I’ve watched it. Until then, goodbye. _7/10_

Source on TMDB