Gianni Paolo Opens Up About His Role in Trust, Survival Thrillers, and More
Gianni Paolo has built a diverse résumé spanning comedy and intense drama, but he’s best known for his breakout as Brayden Weston on Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost. Though more recently, he’s diving headfirst into the psychological tension of Trust, a gritty new survival thriller from Republic Pictures set to hit theaters on August 22, 2025, from director Carlson Young and writer Gigi Levangie.
Gianni Paolo as “Marcus” in the thriller, TRUST. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label)
The film’s plot centers on a Hollywood starlet (Sophie Turner) who, reeling from betrayal and public fallout, retreats into isolation—only to find herself at the center of a brutal scenario with no clear way out. Surrounded by a cast that includes Turner, Billy Campbell, Peter Mensah, Katey Sagal, and Forrest Goodluck, Paolo’s role (Marcus) serves as a key piece of the unraveling mystery when the film’s chaotic events kick off.
While Trust adds a new layer of intensity to Paolo’s filmography, it isn’t his first time stepping into unsettling territory. He made his feature debut alongside Octavia Spencer in Blumhouse’s Ma (now getting a sequel) and has appeared in series like The Mick, The Fosters, and Chance—showing an ability to leave a mark across genres.
Now, to celebrate the film’s upcoming release, we recently caught up with Paolo to talk about stepping into darker territory, building tension on set, and what makes Trust a unique addition to the expansive thriller genre.
How did stepping into the world of Trust—a tense, thriller setting—challenge you differently from past projects, and what drew you to this role in particular?
Gianni Paolo: I actually really loved the naivety of Marcus. I don’t know why what was so fun for me but immediately when I read [the script for] Trust I just knew he was stunted or not super educated, and I feel like that was such a fun and new experience to step into.
There’s a real sense of paranoia and tension in Trust. What was your approach to keeping that emotional thread alive on set, especially in such a tightly paced film?
Gianni Paolo: I think when we meet Marcus, he actually seems like the only good person in the film. I think he really is someone who wants to do good, but due to his circumstances, he can’t always be that person.
Without giving too much away, your character plays a key part in the unraveling of the story. What can you tell us about who he is when we first meet him—and how that perception starts to shift?
Gianni Paolo: I always think bringing the stakes to a film like this is always the most important. Every scene there needs to be stakes, especially in a film like this. I definitely got really good at it from my time on Power because of how intense every scene on that show had to be. Every season got more and more crazy so it definitely trained and helped me to play Marcus in Trust!
Carlson Young brings such a distinct visual and emotional tone to Trust as a director, and you’re working alongside a cast that includes Sophie Turner, Peter Mensah, and Katey Sagal. Was there a moment on set—whether during a key scene or behind the scenes—that really captured what made this project feel unique within the thriller genre?
Gianni Paolo: The coolest thing about this film to me was for sure the cast. There are legends from almost every single genre in this film, and it was so cool just to witness how everybody worked. I also think Carlson did such an incredible job directing this film. Every single scene is its own painting. Visually, I really think it is truly a stunning film.
Thrillers often demand a lot physically and psychologically. Were there any scenes that pushed you out of your comfort zone—or moments you found especially rewarding to film?
Gianni Paolo: Trying not to spoil anything, there was one scene that was a first-time thing for me, and it’s definitely a long and grueling process, but nonetheless so much fun. I feel like every day on set as an actor, you should be pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, even if on the page it seems like you don’t have to. I feel like that’s where all of the best performances come from!
The Republic Pictures film Trust hits theaters on August 22, 2025.
