M. Night Shyamalan directed the movie Trap. This immediately leads to the question: What kind of M. Night Shyamalan movie is it? There were the big twist movies that started his career, like The Sixth Sense; the only so-so imitations of it, like The Happening; the attempt at mainstream commercialism in After Earth; and the more recent but quieter attempts to keep the spooky twists coming, like Old.
Now comes Trap, a movie that doesn’t quite fit in any of those boxes. Trap is a thriller about a serial killer, but it’s also a character study of that serial killer, making it a fantastic blend of suspense and drama. The premise is preposterous, but if you just enjoy the ride, Trap is also a lot of fun.
Trap‘s Story
Trap, which didn’t screen for critics, starts with all the things Cooper (Josh Hartnett), a firefighter and father, does when he takes Riley (Ariel Donoghue), his preteen daughter, to a concert by her favorite pop star. Driving there, parking, walking in, eating, and finding their seats. It’s all very normal. Plus, it shows just how much Cooper loves his daughter. But as the concert starts, Cooper excuses himself and goes to the bathroom, where, to our horror, he looks at a live feed of a victim he has locked up somewhere. Cooper isn’t exactly what he says he is. He may love his family, but he is also the serial killer called the Butcher.
This becomes a problem when Cooper learns that the strong police presence at the concert is there for him. Apparently, the authorities knew the Butcher would be there, and the concert is now a trap. However, no one knows what Cooper looks like. So he has to figure out how to get out of the building without the authorities or his daughter finding out who he really is.
This isn’t news to anyone who saw the trailers for Trap, but what we want to know is if and how he gets out. Of course, this is a Shyamalan movie, so you can expect a few twists and turns along the way, and your mileage may vary depending on just how ridiculous you think Cooper’s ability to slip out of the authority’s hands is.
Josh Hartnett is Wonderful
First things first, Josh Hartnett is great as Cooper. He perfectly straddles the line between a doting dad and a creepy killer. As he gets increasingly desperate, you can see his two worlds—the suburban dad and the murderer—clashing into each other. Hartnett had a brief heyday 20 or so years ago as the hot new thing, but he actually seems more comfortable and at ease in a movie like this, where he can explore his character. And Hartnett’s performance is always believable, as he commits to Cooper completely. It may not be completely credible that things work out for him as they do, but Hartnett does such a good job playing Cooper that you can almost believe it.
Strong Female Characters
Then, there are all the female characters in Trap. Riley, the pop star Lady Raven (Shyamalan’s daughter, Saleka Night Shyamalan), Cooper’s wife Rachel (Alison Pill), and the FBI profiler leading the charge to take the butcher down, Dr. Josephine Grant (Hayley Mills). While some are more forceful than others, they come together to form a counterweight to Cooper, and they’re all fantastic in their roles. Saleka is a revelation here, as she both stages a pop concert as complex as a real-life concert and goes up against Cooper. And Donoghue, Mills, and especially Pill fill out their parts wonderfully.
Conclusion
Shyamalan is committed to making original movies that aren’t prequels, sequels, or reimaginings, and even when the script isn’t perfect, as it isn’t here, that’s still something to be proud of. He and the production as a whole should also be commended for the difficult challenge of pulling off a pop concert with Cooper and Riley in the middle of it. The production designer, Debbie DeVilla, and the director of photography, Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, in particular, brought their A-games to the film. That and the performances work together to establish a strong whole, which makes Trap a good time at the movies, in a twisted kind of way.
Trap is currently playing in theaters. Movie score: 7/10.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
