If M. Night Shyamalan’s filmography were put on a graph, it would be all over the place due to quality inconsistency and audience attachment. Shyamalan has made successful films, such as “The Sixth Sense” (1999) and “Unbreakable” (2000), but has also made a handful of duds like “After Earth” (2013) and “The Happening” (2008).
“Trap” falls somewhere in between Shyamalan’s most powerful films and his lesser-recognized works. Though “Trap” has a lot of flaws, its strengths are so powerful that it makes for a decent watch.
To quote Admiral Ackbar, “It’s a trap!” In classic Shyamalan fashion, things are not as they seem for Cooper Adams (Josh Hartnett) and his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue). The two try to have a fun time while attending a concert performed by fictional pop singer Lady Raven (Saleka Night Shyamalan).
During the film, audiences learn Cooper is a serial killer, and the concert is a way to capture him with police blocking every entrance and exit. Cooper is put to the test as he tries to escape the concert while making sure his daughter does not discover his true identity.
Hartnett’s performance is a major strength of the film. As Cooper, Hartnett is given a chance to play a character he has not portrayed before. Instead of showing how Cooper commits his crimes, the film is similar to a cat-and-mouse chase. However, Cooper is the mouse instead of the cat. Hartnett rides the line perfectly at being someone who looks completely innocent but has something off about him. He is incredibly clever as well, and his performance could help spark a potential sequel in the future.
Some of the most enjoyable moments of the film are seeing Cooper under stress and watching him figure out how to escape the concert without Riley getting suspicious. He encounters several situations where he could easily be caught if he did not have insider knowledge, such as the secret codeword only police and employees know.
A common trend in almost all of Shyamalan’s films is having odd character choices, even in his highest-rated movies. Another worth pointing out is the bizarre dialogue in “Trap.” His characters often use dialogue that does not make them feel like real people; “Trap” is no exception.
A lot of the dialogue in the film is standard, but there are some moments where a character will say something that may sound cool on paper but comes off as cringy. One instance is when Cooper tells Riley her friends would be “so jelly” because she went to a Lady Raven concert. Since the strange dialogue is only sprinkled throughout the film, it is not enough to ruin the experience.
However, the setup of ‘Trap’ is amazing. The film takes an unexpected turn when the third act arrives and Lady Raven is put in a horrible crossroads situation where she could become a hero or villain. Without going any further, Saleka’s performance as Lady Raven needs to be addressed.
Saleka does a great job playing Lady Raven. Her ability to act out scenes in many different phases of emotions is challenging and outstanding. Shyamalan has a pretty talented family to say the least. His other daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan, had her directorial debut film earlier this summer with “The Watchers” (2024). Although Saleka’s main career is focused on singing, she should consider acting in future films.
Fans of Shyamalan know he likes to include a twist in all of his movies. The twist in “Trap” is a bit of a let-down and does not feel earned. Without detailing its spoilers, the twist would have been better if a character like Riley had told information on her father to the authorities. It would have made the payoff in the final act so much more satisfying.
“Trap” is far from a perfect film. It contains a lot of issues, but that does not stop it from being a film worth a watch. If you are a fan of Shyamalan’s filmography, then “Trap” is an essential watch. The film is still playing in theaters but is also available to rent and buy online.
Rating: 3/5
