Performance & Direction: The Trust Review
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Trust (2016) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Trust features a noteworthy lineup led by Nicolas Cage . Supported by the likes of Elijah Wood and Sky Ferreira , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Trust (2016) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Trust
Quick Plot Summary: The Trust is a Thriller, Drama, Crime, Action, Comedy, Mystery film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. A pair of cops investigating a drug invasion stumble upon a mysterious bank vault. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside the protagonist. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Ending Explained: The Trust
Ending Breakdown: The Trust attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Trust reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Trust Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Trust incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, drama, crime, action, comedy, mystery film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Trust adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Trust?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Trust
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $9.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Trust Budget
The estimated production budget for The Trust is $9.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Trust
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Fandango At HomeThe Trust Parents Guide & Age Rating
2016 AdvisoryWondering about The Trust age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Trust is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.2/10, and global collection metrics, The Trust stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2016 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Trust worth watching?
The Trust is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 5.2/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Trust parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Trust identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Trust?
The total duration of The Trust is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Trust
> About trusting a prankster for a risky job. It was so much better than I anticipated, but the end ruined my party. It was the right time I saw it, because I haven't seen any heist films recently. It was not like any genuine heist theme, but still I kind of enjoyed it for being a slightly different, especially the first two acts. It is about the two cops, actually they're part of the police department, but from a different division. When they discover a huge illegal money belonging to a cartel gang after going through the police file, they plan to hit it and disappear forever. But as the title indicates, the trust is what lacks between them. In the third act, the pace picks up rapidly and brings a twist in the tale before the credits begin to roll. Two wonderful main characters with a decent story, but I don't know about the cast. I kind of felt there was a vast age gap between them, like an old man teaming up with a teenager. Obviously worst chemistry, but that's the point, if you understand the title very well. Both the characters were completely opposite, like one was a very confident person, but a prankster and the other guy were a hopeless, but serious about everything. Just like a wolf and a sheep together planning to rob a farmer. When it was going good, like I said the conclusion spoilt the overall product. Other than that it is an okay film. 5/10
Has one or two laughs in the first half and one or two moments of genuine tension in the second half, aaaaaand that's about it. A very understated movie to have gotten both Elija Wood and Nic Cage. Just one of them (especially if it was Cage) and I might have expected something like this, but was surprised given the presence of both. He still gets a freakout in of course, but not a whole lot, like... Happened. _Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
Nicolas Cage ("Stone") and Elijah Wood ("Waters") team up quite well in this rather enjoyable and quirky crime caper. Both are Las Vegas evidence room cops whose careers are going nowhere fast. Until, that is, the former spots a curious bail receipt that leads them to start investigating just what might be hidden in the most innocuous of locations. Armed with some surprising information, they decide to find out just what is actually in an erstwhile secret vault. Their really quite scientific antics are helped enormously by some decent, quick-witted, banter between the two and the whole plot remains unpredictable right the way to the conclusion which does makes it worth a watch eventually. Yep, that is one of it's snags. It does take way too long to get up and running, and at times it does elicit a "get on with it" sigh. Unfortunately, too, the ending is rather hurried - which is a shame because an on-form Cage particularly, but Wood too - don't really get a chance to finish this off anywhere near as entertainingly as it deserved. Passes ninety minutes effortlessly enough, though - but I doubt you will recall it afterwards.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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