The Little Things

In 1990, a young girl named Tina Salvatore finds herself in a dangerous situation while driving on a desolate highway. Being pursued by an ominous motorist, she uses her quick thinking to stop at an abandoned gas station, where she manages to attract the attention of a passing truck driver for help.

Years later, in Bakersfield, Deputy Sheriff Joe 'Deke' Deacon is called back to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for evidence collection. He faces an unwelcome atmosphere as he prepares to assist in a recent murder case involving a woman named Julie Brock.

As Deacon arrives at the precinct, he is met with disdain from his colleagues and especially from the newly appointed lead detective, Jim Baxter. Since Deacon's return is not welcomed, he feels the pressure from his superiors to collaborate effectively on the case.

While investigating, Detective Baxter identifies a suspect named Stan Peters, who has been seen lurking around the victim's apartment. Despite his initial reluctance, Baxter decides to take Deacon along to gather more insights, sensing Deacon's instinct for digging deeper.

As the case develops, Deacon begins to connect the dots between Julie Brock's murder and several other unresolved cases from his past. His troubling memories manifest through vivid flashbacks, illustrating the emotional toll these unsolved mysteries have taken on him.

The situation escalates when another woman, Ronda Rathbun, goes missing after a nightly jog. Deacon starts to realize that these cases might be linked, pushing his investigation further even as he grapples with the implications of his obsession and its effects on his personal life.

The detectives discover a body that fits a pattern emerging in the murders they are investigating, leading to a chilling realization that the killer is targeting sex workers. This evidence intensifies Deacon's pursuit of a suspect who fits the profile of the murderer.

Deacon's focus shifts to a local repairman named Albert Sparma, whose odd behaviors and dubious alibi make him a primary suspect. Deacon's gut feeling drives him to delve deeper into Sparma's life, looking for any connections that could link him to the victims.

Despite their rigorous investigation, Sparma manages to outmaneuver Deacon and Baxter by taunting them during his interrogation. His clever responses and lack of incriminating evidence lead to his release, much to the frustration of the detectives.

Tina, who is vital to identifying Sparma, unexpectedly sees him at the police station. This spotting reignites hopes of linking him definitively to the crimes and underscores the urgency of the investigation as the FBI also becomes involved.

Amid mounting pressure, Baxter grapples with a moral dilemma as their investigation faces potential collapse due to an illegal search yielding no evidence. The tension and frustrations experienced push him to question his beliefs about justice and the cost of their investigation.

In a harrowing twist, Deacon and Baxter confront Sparma in the desert, where frustrations culminate in a complex encounter. This confrontation reveals deep emotions, frustrations, and the painful consequences of their quest for justice, testing their moral fortitude.

In the aftermath, Deacon attempts to guide Baxter away from the all-consuming chase for answers that could destroy him. He sends Baxter an envelope containing a red barrette, identical to the one worn by a victim, as a final attempt to provide closure and reveal the interconnectedness of their paths.

Deacon's connection with Baxter deepens as he struggles with his own past missteps, desperately seeking redemption for the lives that were affected by their investigation. The film ends with lingering questions of guilt and the quest for truth amidst the darkness they have faced.