A new locally made crime thriller is shining a spotlight on Miami Gardens. Murder Gardens 2, the sequel to the 2018 independent film Murder Gardens, has officially been released, bringing a story of loyalty, survival, and community struggle to audiences nationwide.
The film was written and directed by Mark A. Samuels, a native of Miami Gardens and founder of MBS Media Group. Samuels says the project was inspired by the very streets he grew up on.
“I’m from Miami Gardens — the city that shaped me, tested me, and ultimately gave me the stories I now bring to life,” Samuels said in a press statement. “Murder Gardens 2 isn’t just a movie; it’s a mirror. It reflects the environment that raised me and many others like me.”
About the Film
After serving a decade-long prison sentence, Chase — played by Giovani Hogu — returns home to Miami determined to rebuild his life. But the world he knew has changed. His older brother Rell (Thomas Rusley) now works with a powerful crime family and persuades Chase to join him for one last high-stakes job.
As the brothers navigate shifting alliances, law enforcement pressure, and threats from rival crews, their loyalty is tested by buried secrets and past regrets. The story explores the cost of survival in a city where danger can come from the streets — or from within your own circle.
Local Roots, Global Themes
Samuels says his goal wasn’t to glamorize street life, but to humanize it.
“As a young Black filmmaker, my mission has never been to glorify the streets but to use film as a tool for truth and transformation,” Samuels said in a press statement. “This story is fictional, but the pain is real.”
The film reflects real issues facing communities like Miami Gardens, from gun violence and incarceration to the search for redemption. Samuels hopes the story sparks honest conversations about community healing and systemic change.
Cast and Production
Murder Gardens 2 stars a mix of returning actors and new faces:
- Giovani Hogu as Chase
- Thomas Rusley as Rell
- Kennedi Jones (also known as Kai-Dot) as Ashley
- Kenisha Myree (Miami Tip, Love & Hip Hop: Miami) as Peaches
- Bertrand Boyd (Queen & Slim, P-Valley) as Ray
- Young Breed (Maybach Music Group) as Rackz
The film was produced under MBS Media Group and distributed through Maverick Entertainment, a Florida-based company known for supporting independent Black filmmakers.
Murder Gardens 2 is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi, and will be featured in select community screenings across South Florida later this year.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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