After decades of waiting, Axel Foley is finally back. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F brings Eddie Murphy’s most iconic character into the modern era while staying loyal to the energy, humor, and action-comedy rhythm that made the original films cultural landmarks. This fourth installment blends nostalgia with updated themes, especially around policing, corruption, and fatherhood.
Detailed Summary
Axel Returns to Beverly Hills
The film opens in Detroit, where Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is still doing things his way — bending rules, improvising plans, and somehow getting results. However, his reckless style now feels outdated to his superiors. He’s older, but not necessarily wiser.
Axel learns that his estranged daughter, Jane Saunders (Taylour Paige), a defense attorney in Beverly Hills, is in danger after taking on a controversial case involving police corruption. That’s the hook that pulls him back to California — not just for a case, but for unfinished business as a father.
A Complicated Father-Daughter Dynamic
One of the movie’s strongest emotional threads is the strained relationship between Axel and Jane. She resents him for prioritizing his job over fatherhood. Axel tries to use humor to deflect, but the tension is real.
Jane’s case involves a man accused of killing a police officer. As Axel digs deeper, he suspects that the case is being manipulated from within the Beverly Hills Police Department itself.
The Corruption Conspiracy
Axel reunites with old allies Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton). Their dynamic remains familiar — Billy is enthusiastic and slightly chaotic, Taggart more grounded and skeptical.
The investigation reveals a deeper conspiracy involving Captain Grant (Kevin Bacon). Grant initially presents himself as supportive, but evidence slowly points toward him orchestrating a cover-up tied to illegal operations within the department.
The film balances action set pieces — car chases, mansion shootouts, infiltration scenes — with comedic beats that feel very much in the spirit of the original trilogy.
The Turning Point
Jane becomes a direct target when she refuses to back down from the case. Axel realizes the threat is bigger than anticipated. What begins as a legal defense case evolves into a full-blown corruption scandal with violent consequences.
Axel’s street-smart methods clash with Beverly Hills’ polished image yet again — and unsurprisingly, he proves that instinct and experience still matter.
Movie Ending
In the final act, the conspiracy fully unravels. Captain Grant is exposed as the central figure behind the corruption ring. He has been manipulating evidence, framing suspects, and orchestrating illegal operations for personal and institutional gain.
The climax takes place during a tense armed confrontation at a private estate. Axel and Jane are cornered, and Grant attempts to eliminate loose ends — including them. What makes this finale compelling is the emotional layer: Jane witnesses firsthand the danger Axel has always lived with.
Axel confronts Grant directly. The standoff forces Axel to choose between revenge and justice. Rather than killing him in anger, Axel ensures Grant is arrested and publicly exposed. This choice reinforces Axel’s growth — he’s still reckless, but he understands consequences more deeply now.
Jane’s case collapses in favor of her client once the corruption is revealed. The innocent man is cleared. The department undergoes internal review, and several officers are arrested.
The final scenes focus on reconciliation. Jane begins to understand her father’s complicated moral code. Axel, for his part, makes a genuine effort to repair their relationship — not with jokes, but with honesty.
The film ends with Axel back in Beverly Hills, hinting he might stick around longer this time. It leaves the door open for future installments without relying on a cliffhanger.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There is no mid-credits or post-credits scene teasing a sequel. Once the film ends, that’s the true ending. However, the final scene itself subtly leaves the franchise open for continuation.
Type of Movie
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is an action-comedy with strong buddy-cop energy, layered with light crime thriller elements and a surprisingly heartfelt father-daughter drama at its core.
Cast
- Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley
- Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott
- Kevin Bacon as Captain Grant
- Judge Reinhold as Billy Rosewood
- John Ashton as John Taggart
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Lorne Balfe, who modernizes the iconic “Axel F” theme originally created by Harold Faltermeyer. The classic synth melody returns but with updated production that bridges the 1980s vibe and contemporary action cinema.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
The film was primarily shot in California, especially in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.
Using real Beverly Hills streets reinforces the franchise’s long-standing “Detroit outsider in luxury paradise” contrast. The mansions, palm-lined boulevards, and upscale environments visually underline the cultural clash Axel represents.
Some scenes were also filmed in Detroit to maintain continuity with Axel’s roots, emphasizing the contrast between his home turf and Beverly Hills’ polished surface.
Awards and Nominations
As a recent release, the film has generated attention mainly in audience-driven categories and streaming platform metrics. While not positioned as an awards-heavy contender, it has received praise for:
- Reviving a legacy franchise successfully
- Eddie Murphy’s charismatic return
- Balancing nostalgia with modern themes
Major award nominations remain limited, but it has been commercially successful.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Eddie Murphy had previously declined several sequel scripts before agreeing to this one, stating he wanted the story to “feel right.”
- The film was released through Netflix, marking a shift from the franchise’s theatrical roots.
- Judge Reinhold and John Ashton returning was a deliberate move to satisfy long-time fans.
- Kevin Bacon reportedly leaned into making Captain Grant charming at first to make the villain reveal more impactful.
- The production aimed to avoid excessive CGI, favoring practical stunts to preserve the classic action feel.
Inspirations and Franchise Legacy
The film continues the story that began with Beverly Hills Cop, a landmark 1980s action-comedy that helped redefine the genre by mixing sharp humor with serious crime drama.
The original movie’s fish-out-of-water structure heavily inspires this installment, but here it’s updated with generational conflict and systemic corruption themes.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no officially released alternate endings. However, early script drafts reportedly included:
- A darker ending where Grant attempted to escape rather than face arrest
- A more extended reconciliation scene between Axel and Jane
- Additional comedic sequences involving Billy that were trimmed for pacing
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Axel’s first chaotic return to Beverly Hills, complete with improvised tactics
- The tense courtroom sequence where Jane realizes the depth of corruption
- The mansion shootout in the final act
- Axel choosing arrest over revenge in the final confrontation
Iconic Quotes
- “You can take me out of Detroit, but you can’t take Detroit out of me.”
- “You don’t outrun the truth. It catches up.”
- “I wasn’t a perfect father. But I never stopped being your dad.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The classic Axel Foley Detroit Lions jacket makes a subtle return.
- The updated “Axel F” theme appears in instrumental fragments before its full version plays.
- A brief background cameo references characters from earlier films.
- Dialogue callbacks mirror lines from the 1984 original.
Trivia
- This is the fourth installment in the franchise, arriving 30 years after the third film.
- Eddie Murphy personally approved the final cut.
- Several original props were recreated to match the 1980s versions.
- The film balances digital cinematography with lighting setups inspired by the first movie.
Why Watch?
If you grew up with Axel Foley, this film delivers nostalgia without feeling stuck in the past. If you’re new to the franchise, it works as a standalone action-comedy with emotional stakes. The blend of humor, character growth, and old-school stunt work makes it an easy and entertaining watch.
Most importantly, it reminds audiences why Eddie Murphy remains one of the most magnetic screen presences in Hollywood.
Director’s Other Works
The film was directed by Mark Molloy. While primarily known for commercial directing before this feature debut, notable works in broader franchise context include:
- Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – by Martin Brest
- Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) – by Tony Scott
- Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) – by John Landis
