Movie Review: TRAP

By CARL CORTEZ / Contributing Editor

Posted: August 3rd, 2024 / 07:00 AM

Rating: PG-13
Stars: Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, Alison Pill
Writer-Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Distributor: Warner Bros.

Ever since writer-director M. Night Shyamalan broke out with his classic 1999 thriller THE SIXTH SENSE, he’s struggled to maintain the simplistic beauty of that Bruce Willis starrer. His subsequent films either leaned too heavy into a last act twist (that worked depending on the viewer – UNBREAKABLE, SIGNS) or were so pretentious the film was virtually unwatchable (THE HAPPENING anyone).

Thankfully, the last decade has brought Shyamalan back to earth and has focused him. THE VISIT took him out of his comfort zone and recharged him and SPLIT is arguably his best film since THE SIXTH SENSE.

His latest movie TRAP falls somewhere in the middle. It’s an ambitious, sprawling, taut suspense film that takes almost all the suspense Alfred Hitchcock left us to heart and delivers what is two-third of an excellent cat and mouse movie. The last half veers into some surprising, less successful detours, but surprisingly doesn’t detract from the overall experience.

Josh Hartnett as Cooper Adams gives a killer performance of, well, a killer known here as The Butcher. But this is a killer of the Ted Bundy ilk – if Ted had a family and access to hip teen lingo like “Crispy.” Cooper is a loving father who has secured tickets for his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to a big sold-out Taylor Swift-esque concert for Lady Raven played by Shyamalan’s daughter Saleka Shyamalan (who also wrote and performs her own songs in the movie). Cooper’s daughter is ecstatic to go to the concert and her dad is there every step of the way doing what a good parent should.

Then it’s confirmed Cooper is actually a serial killer called The Butcher, who cuts his victims into multiple pieces due to mommy issues. And his latest victim is going to die (likely after the concert).

Problems arise when Cooper discovers someone has tipped off the authorities that the Butcher is attending the concert. With the heavy presence of police and the FBI looking for him, Cooper must use the large concert venue as a playground. He devises various clever distractions to find his exit – while still trying to be the devoted dad to his daughter.

To reveal any more, would take away the fun of the film. It’s likely the latter half of the movie will be polarizing – you’re either going to be with it or not, especially when it veers slightly into Lifetime movie of the week territory (and also defies some very basic logic), but I was in it the entire way. Additionally, for all its implausibility at times, it’s refreshing to watch Shyamalan loosen up considerably, lose some of his pretention (which has handicapped some of his films at times) and have so much fun as a filmmaker.

Add to that Hartnett who pulls off the biggest hat trick of all – making Cooper so darn likable that you almost want him to get away with it. Donoghue is believable and grounded as the daughter who knows her dad is acting weird, but doesn’t know the real, nefarious reasons why. Saleka Shyamalan is solid as the singer with her own ulterior motives.

TRAP is an enjoyable popcorn roller coaster and nothing more. If you’re looking for logic and reason, you’re at the wrong place. If you want a nice slice of original movie programming this summer, Shyamalan has created perfect counter-programming. Just strap yourself in and don’t think too much and you’ll enjoy the ride.

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Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan forgoes his twist ending for an early reveal resulting in his most taut and suspenseful film since SPLIT

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