After nearly ten years of silence, Barbershop 4 (2025) brings the chairs, the chatter, and the charm roaring back to the big screen — sharper, smarter, and more soulful than ever. Directed with warmth and rhythm, this long-awaited sequel delivers a perfect blend of laughs, legacy, and life lessons, proving that the heartbeat of a community still hums through the hum of clippers and the echo of good conversation.
Ice Cube returns as Calvin Palmer Jr., older, wiser, and wearier — a man caught between nostalgia for the world he built and the harsh reality of the world it’s becoming. The neighborhood that once pulsed with laughter, style, and street talk now faces the creeping shadow of gentrification. Corporate coffee shops and luxury condos threaten to replace the heartbeat of the South Side, one small business at a time. For Calvin, it’s not just about a shop — it’s about the soul of his block.
The film captures that struggle beautifully, wrapping it in the familiar warmth of banter and brotherhood that fans have loved since the original Barbershop (2002). Cedric the Entertainer returns as the unstoppable Eddie, still talking loud, still cracking up the room, and still dishing out wisdom that hides beneath the jokes. Regina Hall once again anchors the story with grace and fire as Angie, balancing business smarts and community loyalty.
Anthony Anderson and Eve light up the shop with their natural comedic rhythm, while newcomer Lamorne Morris (as the social-media-savvy apprentice, Trey) adds a modern spark. His dream? To livestream every cut, every debate, every moment — turning the shop into an online phenomenon. But as Calvin reminds him, “Some things ain’t meant for Wi-Fi — they’re meant for people.” That generational tension gives the film its pulse: a clash between old-school respect and new-school hustle, both fighting for relevance in a world that’s moving too fast to listen.
When a slick developer swoops in with promises of revitalization — and a buyout offer that could change everything — Calvin and his crew must decide whether to cash out or stand up. What follows is a mix of hilarious community meetings, heartfelt family moments, and a street fair protest that turns into one of the funniest, most touching sequences in the franchise.
The humor, as always, is razor-sharp. Eddie’s endless stories about “back in my day” have evolved into comedic gold about social media, AI, and electric clippers that “ain’t got no soul.” Kevin Hart even makes a surprise cameo as an overexcited influencer barber who nearly burns down the shop with a ring light.
But beneath the jokes lies a rich undercurrent of emotion — a deep respect for community, family, and the spaces that hold us together. Barbershop 4 doesn’t just rely on nostalgia; it grows from it. It’s about legacy — how one generation hands the scissors to the next without letting the blade lose its edge.
The film’s final act brings everything full circle, with Calvin giving a powerful monologue that resonates far beyond the barbershop walls: “You can build new buildings. You can raise the rent. But you can’t price out pride. You can’t gentrify love.” It’s one of Ice Cube’s most heartfelt performances in years — grounded, soulful, and authentic.
Visually, the film shines with a blend of modern cityscapes and classic, intimate shop interiors — the mirrors reflecting not just faces, but the lives that pass through them. The soundtrack, laced with old-school hip-hop and smooth R&B, ties it all together with rhythm and nostalgia.
