Trust Not: Camden-Filmed Thriller Now Streaming Free on YouTube

If you’re looking for something local to watch this weekend, here’s one to put on your list. Trust Not, a crime thriller filmed in Camden, is streaming for free on YouTube right now.

The film was released June 14 on the Protege Photography channel under the Protege Films banner. Greg Gainer wrote it, and Bryant Lewis directed and edited it. It also features some Camden natives in front of the camera.

What Trust Not Is About

Let’s break down the setup without spoiling anything. A string of killings has the city on edge, and every victim was found the same way. One stab wound to the chest. No weapon. No witnesses.

Lead detective Darius “D” Barnes, played by Greg Gainer, and his partner, Detective Michelle Monroe, played by Kyana Murphy, are on the case. Their captain wants answers fast, and the pressure is building. Then a street informant offers a tip that changes the direction of the investigation.

There’s tension at home for Darius too. His brother Reggie, played by Bryant Lewis, is deep in the drug game. In a post-production cast interview hosted by Daimonee, Lewis described Reggie as a “street pharmacist.” He also said having a brother in law enforcement is frowned upon in their community.

Meanwhile, a couple coming up on their one-year anniversary starts to notice that things don’t quite add up between them.

Why the Title Fits

Trust is the thread that runs through the whole movie. Partners question each other. Detectives question their sources. And couples start asking how well they really know each other.

One line from the film sums it up: “The most expensive thing in this world is trust.”

What to Know Before You Watch

Trust Not runs about 47 minutes, so you can finish it in one sitting. Heads up, though. It has strong language and violence, so it’s grown folks viewing.

The soundtrack leans heavily on original hip-hop, which gives the film a local feel from the opening scenes.

A Part 2 Is on the Way

If the ending leaves you with questions, you’re not alone. In the cast interview, the cast confirmed that a sequel is in the works. They kept the details locked down, but they made it clear that several storylines were left open on purpose.

The Bottom Line

Trust Not is a homegrown thriller made by local creatives with local talent. It’s free, it’s short and it’s available now. For Camden viewers, it’s also a chance to see familiar streets and faces on screen.