Trap will release in UK cinemas on August 9, 2024 from Warner Bros. Pictures.
Synopsis
In the film, a father (Hartnett) and teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) attend a pop concert, where they realise they’re at the centre of a dark and sinister event.
Review
M. Night Shyamalan returns to familiar territory with TRAP, a suspenseful thriller involving goofy, fun-loving dad Cooper (Josh Hartnett) and his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue), who attend a concert by her favorite pop star Lady Raven (played by Shyamalan’s real-life daughter, Saleka). However, their night out quickly becomes a terrifying ordeal as the event turns into a trap orchestrated by the police to catch a dangerous killer lurking among the crowd. The twist this time around, though, is that Cooper is the killer they are hunting.
The film quickly shifts from a fun father-daughter outing to a secret prison escape for Cooper, who must maintain his cool around his daughter and keep his two lives separate. M. Night Shyamalan creates a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere, but instead of feeling dread, there’s more excitement to see how this killer could escape such an impossible situation.
Every turn leads to another hurdle he needs to sneak out of, and Shyamalan has brilliantly woven this plot through some outlandish moments where Cooper’s charm just narrowly gets him through. It’s no lie, though, that this film is also centered around Lady Raven’s gig, and it does give off the impression that the film’s main existence is to promote real-life singer Saleka. We hear and, in some cases, see her perform at least seven songs throughout the film’s runtime. Does it feel a little forced? Yes. But does it take away from the film overall? No, and that is partly because of Josh Hartnett’s performance.
Josh Hartnett absolutely kills it in this dual role, with subtle cues where his mask slips as he inches closer and closer to getting caught. Seeing him keep on his toes, going from the killer we know to the incredibly friendly and approachable man that people are naturally drawn to, is brilliantly entertaining, and Josh deserves all the credit for this nuanced performance.
Now, no M. Night Shyamalan film would be complete without its major plot twist, which is saved for the final act of the movie. We won’t spoil it here, and the trailers have done a good job keeping this under wraps. It’s not his greatest twist, nor is it his worst or even most extreme, but it does deliver and answer some mysteries the story lays out throughout the first and second acts.
Verdict
In the end, TRAP may not be Shyamalan’s most groundbreaking film, but it still delivers a solid thriller experience. With a gripping atmosphere, strong performances, and a dash of unexpected twists, it’s a worthy addition to his filmography. While some predictable elements and pacing issues hold it back from true greatness, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable and suspenseful ride for fans of the genre.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
