The master of modern suspense returns! Trap, M. Night Shyamalan’s ultimate serial killer vs police story has finally hit theatres giving summer audiences another stiff concoction of anxiety and tension. It’s another classic Shyamalan thrill ride full of twists and turns and encroaching darkness, with a seemingly never-ending series of cat-and-mouse games of escape.
Josh Hartnett (Halloween H20) and Ariel Donoghue star as Cooper & Riley, an average everyday suburban daddy/daughter duo, attending a sold-out concert. Topping the bill is Riley’s idol Lady Raven, played by Shyamalan’s daughter Saleka who wrote and performed all the original music in the movie. There’s a heavy police presence at the venue and we slowly learn that the concert is being used as an elaborate trap to catch a psychopathic (and prolific) serial killer known as The Butcher, who police know will be attendance. Which is really bad news for Riley because unbeknownst to her…Cooper is the madman they’re looking for.Â
“It’s another great night out at the movies thanks to Shyamalan.”
“30,000 Fans. 300 Cops. 1 Serial Killer. No Escape.” The tagline says it all. Of course, you may be asking: How do the police know he’ll be at the concert that night? Not important! But what is important is that Cooper is a cunning and relentless killer who will stop at nothing to get out of that building undetected. It’s a brilliant set-up, and one that guarantees some sadistic problem solving, and an edge of your seat adventure. Cooper‘s ability to think his way out of impossible situations is kind of amazing, even if the situations are often a little too convenient for him given the stakes of the story.Â
More than a cat-and-mouse-game of predator and prey, Trap is a tug-of-war between a heavily armed & highly trained swat team and a sly ‘n’ slippery multiple murderer. Every time Cooper surreptitiously takes a step forward, the cops pivot and push him back two steps more. Even though he’s a dangerous lunatic, it’s easy to root for Cooper because of Hartnett’s performance and just the shear underdog nature of it all. The stakes couldn’t be higher and the odds couldn’t be more stacked against him but somehow, he always manages to squeak out unscathed.
“Surprisingly funny, reliably suspenseful, and undeniably Shyamalan.”
Shyamalan is a master storyteller and though he never disappoints, it’s been a long time since he’s been able to exceed expectations. Trap is a classic suspense story, with a few pitch-black flourishes throughout that help keep things dangerous and deranged. He ratchets up tension as good as ever but at the cost of common sense, sometimes. Characters often do what’s best for the story to progress but not what feels natural. Regardless, it’s another great night out at the movies thanks to Shyamalan, Hartnett, and a surprise late-stage addition of Alison Pill (Them). It’s surprisingly funny, reliably suspenseful, and undeniably Shyamalan.
M Night Shyamalan’s Trap is in theatres now. Let us know what you thought of Shyamalan’s newest thriller (and what you would do if you were being hunted by an entire city’s police force) over in the Nightmare on Film Street Discord!
