Carlson Young Talks the New Thriller Trust, The Blazing World, and Her Scream Legacy
Carlson Young has never been afraid to cross genre lines. As an actor, she first made her mark on screen in cult favorites like Scream: The TV Series, where her sharp-witted, resilient Brooke cemented her place as a beloved modern final girl. But Young’s ambitions reached beyond acting. With her visually arresting directorial debut The Blazing World—a surreal exploration of grief and identity—she proved she wasn’t content to simply inhabit stories; she wanted to build them from the ground up. She later surprised audiences again with the romantic comedy Upgraded, showcasing yet another side of her creative range and earning praise for her fresh voice behind the camera.
With her latest endeavor Trust (2025), Young turns to a darker, more claustrophobic setting. Written by Gigi Levangie and starring Sophie Turner, the psychological thriller follows a rising Hollywood starlet whose carefully built world collapses after a brutal betrayal. Retreating to a remote cabin in search of refuge, she soon discovers that danger has followed her—and what begins as an escape quickly descends into a fight for survival.
For Young, Trust is also more than just a genre exercise. Themes of loyalty, deception, and the fragility of relationships are woven into every frame—from the uneasy quiet moments to the way the camera distorts what should feel familiar. The result is a thriller that never lets its audience settle, keeping the ground unsteady until the final moments.
And that’s what makes Trust a turning point in Young’s career. It shows her not only as a director capable of crossing genres, but as one with the vision to reshape them in her own image. Which is exactly the kind of filmmaker that deserves our attention.
Compared to The Blazing World—notable for its surrealism—Trust is more grounded and tense. How did you adapt or evolve your visual language—color, lighting, framing—to serve this story while retaining your directorial voice?
Carlson Young: It was a fun challenge grounding some of the elements of The Blazing World into a frenzied ‘90s thriller vibe. It was about connecting the physical details to the emotional and spiritual journey of Lauren.
Your last feature, Upgraded, was a rom-com with a charming, character-driven tone, while Trust is a psychological survival thriller. What was the most rewarding—and perhaps the most challenging—part about shifting genres so drastically?
Carlson Young: Every project you learn so much. I’m grateful to kind of sail across genres because everything you learn from the last plays into the new territory. Upgraded helped me understand comedic tone and how to weave that texture better.
The film’s premise—a starlet stranded in a remote cabin, betrayed and fighting for her life—demands a tight, claustrophobic atmosphere. What are some specific techniques, visual or narrative, you used to ratchet up that tension and sense of isolation?
Carlson Young: Score was a big part of keeping the room alive, so I worked closely with my husband, who is our composer on that. It was really fun to build the tension in that sense. We went for cocaine Berlin basement fuel [laughs]. Sophie’s performance was so flawless in that regard as well. She always gave me exactly the energy that we needed.
Sophie Turner as “Lauren” in the thriller, TRUST. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label)
Speaking of score—I also love that you were able to team up with your husband [Isom Innis] for the film—how did the collaboration with him shape the emotional tone or pacing of the film, and were there any moments where the score changed your perception of a scene?
Carlson Young: I cut the movie with my editor dry, so no temp score. It’s an agitating process, but really is the right way in the end. When Isom came in, he had a scene that worked with or without score—so he had a wide range of creative options and an open palette to play with.
The title Trust feels very symbolic—spanning family, work dynamics, and even more intimate relationships. When you first joined the project, was there a thematic idea about trust and betrayal that drew you to the film?
Carlson Young: When we called the film Trust, I got so excited creatively because it was a word I could chew on for the whole energetic journey of the movie, start to finish. Trust and betrayal go hand in hand, but also, there’s a kind of benevolence of the universe when she does lean into the full magnitude of the definition of trust. I was fascinated by her process of surrender.
Finally, as a massive fan of the Scream series, I have to say your performance as Brooke definitely made her one of the most iconic final girls. How, if at all, has your connection to horror and thrillers influenced your directing style for Trust?
Carlson Young: That’s sweet, thank you! I love Brooke. Brooke was always subverting expectations and pushing things deeper. My connection to [horror projects] really influences so much of my taste and just general interest in themes.
