Written & Directed By M. Night Shyamalan; Starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Alison Pill.
Trap follows Cooper Adams (Josh Hartnett), a firefighter who’s attending a concert with his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue). Yet amongst the screams of adoration and sounds of applause, the concert itself has a hidden identity: a trap for an infamous serial killer known as The Butcher, who just so happens to be Cooper. With security cameras rigged, armies of policemen with weapons at the ready, and police vehicles surrounding the venue, Cooper must do everything he can to not get caught.
This is the latest from successful suspense filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. Interestingly enough, it's coming out shortly before the 25th anniversary of his breakout hit, The Sixth Sense. Shyamalan has often been criticized throughout his career for his struggles with crafting dialogue. Trap proves to be no different as several lines are basically exposition dumps. Others come off as unnatural. Although in defense of the latter, it does make sense for the character of Cooper. He needs to come up with lies right on the spot as he’s trying to hide his secret from other people he meets. So his lines coming off as unnatural seems fitting.
However, Shyamalan more than makes up for those shortcomings with his directing. He along with editor Noëmi Preiswerk take time to tell the story in an effective manner. Everything feels so tense from start to finish. Herdís Stefánsdóttir’s musical score perfectly fits the mood of the whole thing. I was definitely on the edge of my seat wondering what the hell was about to happen next. Shyamalan's last two films were largely set around one location. In Old, it was an island. In Knock at the Cabin, it was of course a cabin. Having this particular story set mostly at a stadium really added to the experience.
Josh Hartnett manages to pull off quite a high-wire act as Cooper. On the outside, he appears to be this loving family man. But on the inside, he is one troubled soul. Which really makes for one compelling character. Ariel Donoghue makes for a sweet and adorable presence as Riley. Saleka Shyamalan, one of Night’s daughters, plays Lady Raven, the artist in concert. As she happens to be a singer/songwriter herself in real life, the concert scenes seemed natural to her. Although in every scene she has after that, her acting work is mostly fine. Without giving much away, Alison Pill delivers a standout performance in the third act. Plus, M. Night Shyamalan himself gives one of my favorite cameo appearances he’s ever made in his films.
Trap is clearly one of his movies that is better directed than written. Yet I was still engaged throughout due to all these twists and turns I didn’t see coming at all. It just goes to show how he continues to be no slouch when it comes to building suspense. Not to mention there’s this little bit that takes place shortly after the end credits begins. I really got a kick out of watching it. Audiences should have a good time with this one.
Rating: 3.5/5
Trap follows Cooper Adams (Josh Hartnett), a firefighter who’s attending a concert with his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue). Yet amongst the screams of adoration and sounds of applause, the concert itself has a hidden identity: a trap for an infamous serial killer known as The Butcher, who just so happens to be Cooper. With security cameras rigged, armies of policemen with weapons at the ready, and police vehicles surrounding the venue, Cooper must do everything he can to not get caught.
This is the latest from successful suspense filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. Interestingly enough, it's coming out shortly before the 25th anniversary of his breakout hit, The Sixth Sense. Shyamalan has often been criticized throughout his career for his struggles with crafting dialogue. Trap proves to be no different as several lines are basically exposition dumps. Others come off as unnatural. Although in defense of the latter, it does make sense for the character of Cooper. He needs to come up with lies right on the spot as he’s trying to hide his secret from other people he meets. So his lines coming off as unnatural seems fitting.
However, Shyamalan more than makes up for those shortcomings with his directing. He along with editor Noëmi Preiswerk take time to tell the story in an effective manner. Everything feels so tense from start to finish. Herdís Stefánsdóttir’s musical score perfectly fits the mood of the whole thing. I was definitely on the edge of my seat wondering what the hell was about to happen next. Shyamalan's last two films were largely set around one location. In Old, it was an island. In Knock at the Cabin, it was of course a cabin. Having this particular story set mostly at a stadium really added to the experience.
Josh Hartnett manages to pull off quite a high-wire act as Cooper. On the outside, he appears to be this loving family man. But on the inside, he is one troubled soul. Which really makes for one compelling character. Ariel Donoghue makes for a sweet and adorable presence as Riley. Saleka Shyamalan, one of Night’s daughters, plays Lady Raven, the artist in concert. As she happens to be a singer/songwriter herself in real life, the concert scenes seemed natural to her. Although in every scene she has after that, her acting work is mostly fine. Without giving much away, Alison Pill delivers a standout performance in the third act. Plus, M. Night Shyamalan himself gives one of my favorite cameo appearances he’s ever made in his films.
Trap is clearly one of his movies that is better directed than written. Yet I was still engaged throughout due to all these twists and turns I didn’t see coming at all. It just goes to show how he continues to be no slouch when it comes to building suspense. Not to mention there’s this little bit that takes place shortly after the end credits begins. I really got a kick out of watching it. Audiences should have a good time with this one.
Rating: 3.5/5