Trap (2024 Film) Review: A M. Night Shyamalan Thriller That Snags You in Its Web

M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap marks his triumphant return to theatrical scares with a high-concept premise: ensnaring both audience and antagonist in one meticulously plotted thriller. Starring Josh Hartnett as Cooper—a devoted father with a hidden past—and featuring Saleka Shyamalan’s acting debut as pop icon Lady Raven, Trap (2024 film) unfolds at what seems to be a celebratory concert only to reveal an FBI sting to catch a serial killer in the act. With its blend of suspense, black humor, and Shyamalan’s signature twists, Trap invites viewers to question who is truly trapped and who is doing the trapping.

While some critics argue that Trap lacks the emotional heft of Shyamalan’s best works, they concede it remains an entertaining spectacle—one that leverages its contained setting and tight runtime to maintain relentless tension. Whether you’re drawn by the Trap movie 2024 buzz or intrigued by Josh Hartnett’s welcome return to form, this is one concert you’ll want to witness firsthand.

Plot Overview

Trap thrusts us into a packed arena in Philadelphia, where teen fans eagerly await Lady Raven’s biggest performance yet. Cooper (Josh Hartnett) accompanies his estranged daughter, Rachel (Ariel Donoghue), who is a devoted fan of the singer. What begins as a typical father-daughter bonding moment quickly spirals into a claustrophobic nightmare when FBI agents reveal that the concert is a decoy designed to lure a cunning serial killer known only as the “Butcher.”

As law enforcement seals every exit, Cooper realizes the killer in question is none other than himself—his chilling backstory as the Butcher gradually unfolding through flashbacks and tense confrontations. Trapped both physically and psychologically, Cooper must navigate the labyrinthine corridors of the venue, outwit the FBI, and confront his own inner demons if he hopes to save his daughter and escape justice.

Cast and Characters

• Josh Hartnett (Cooper “The Butcher”)
  Hartnett carries the film on his shoulders, delivering a performance that oscillates between paternal warmth and unhinged menace. Critics praise his ability to humanize a character capable of horrifying acts, while still maintaining an undercurrent of unpredictability.

• Ariel Donoghue (Rachel)
  Making a strong impression in her first major role, Donoghue captures the anxious mixture of teenage excitement and mounting dread as she realizes her father’s secret identity.

• Saleka Shyamalan (Lady Raven)
  The director’s daughter steps into the spotlight as the pop star around whom the sting operation pivots. Though her acting is occasionally uneven, her musical performances and on-stage charisma lend authenticity to the concert sequences.

• Supporting Players
  Alison Pill and Hayley Mills round out the cast with solid performances as key FBI operatives and concession staff, respectively, helping to maintain realism within the film’s contrived setting.

Direction and Production

M. Night Shyamalan wrote, directed, and produced Trap, reaffirming his penchant for high-concept premises executed on modest budgets. Shot primarily within the confines of a single arena set, the film capitalizes on tight framing, shifting camera angles, and rapid editing to evoke a sense of inescapability.

Cinematographer Eduardo Serra employs handheld cameras and selective close-ups to place viewers in the characters’ shoes, heightening empathy for both Cooper and his daughter while underscoring the killer’s claustrophobic predicament. Production design balances the bright, concert aesthetics—neon lights, unyielding sound systems—with the grittier, shadow-filled backstage areas where much of the cat-and-mouse action unfolds.

Themes and Analysis

Family and Duality

At its core, the trap movie is a meditation on paternal love corrupted by violence. Cooper’s dual role as doting father and remorseless killer epitomizes Shyamalan’s fascination with duality—the idea that monsters can hide behind familiar faces and that trust can be weaponized against us.

Justice and Entanglement

The film’s titular “trap” operates on multiple levels: the physical entrapment of the concert-goers, the legal net closing in on Cooper, and the moral snare of his relationship with Rachel. FBI agents become unwitting participants in the killer’s twisted game, illustrating how even well-intentioned operations can ensnare the innocent.

Meta-Commentary on Thrillers

With its tongue-in-cheek nods to genre conventions—overly dramatic lighting cues, abrupt jump scares, and wryly self-aware dialogue—Trap serves as a commentary on the trap film subgenre itself, inviting viewers to laugh at and question their own expectations of horror and suspense.

Cinematography and Music

The pounding electronic score underscores the film’s relentless pacing, intercutting original songs performed by Saleka Shyamalan in her Lady Raven persona. These musical interludes provide both narrative cover for the FBI operation and thematic counterpoint to Cooper’s inner turmoil.

Visually, Trap juxtaposes the dazzling spectacle of a sold-out concert with the stark, utilitarian humanity of law enforcement. High-contrast lighting—fleeting bursts of strobe lights against darkened corridors—reinforces the ever-looming danger. Serra’s camera work ensures that even seemingly safe spaces feel menacing, carving tension from every frame.

Reception and Critic Reviews

Critics have been divided on whether Trap (2024 film) represents Shyamalan at his most inventive or most indulgent.

• Positive Takes

  • Rolling Tape lauds Hartnett’s “complex and compelling” turn, recommending the film for its “suspense that only Shyamalan can deliver”.

  • Dread Central praises the “gorgeous cinematography” and “just plain fun” thrills, highlighting the film’s ability to entertain despite narrative contrivances.

  • Cinema fans on Reddit commend the screenplay’s wit and Hartnett’s performance, calling it “my favorite Hartnett role” in years.

• Mixed to Negative Takes

  • The Guardian criticizes the “ungainly dialogue” and “illogical writing” that undermines the premise, likening it to “a bloated episode of M. Night Shyamalan Presents”.

  • Roger Ebert attributes the film’s unevenness to a lack of “craftsmanship” needed for its ambitious concept, though Hartnett’s “playfulness” almost elevates it above its flaws.

  • Entertainment Weekly notes that while Trap “lacks the heft of Shyamalan’s best films,” it still “keeps you on the edge of your seat” with its “preposterous” yet engaging premise.

On Rotten Tomatoes, Trap holds an “Arch Thriller” consensus, applauding its tongue-in-cheek style and Hartnett’s committed performance, though acknowledging that some viewers will be eager to wriggle free from its snares.

Streaming and Home Release

After its theatrical run beginning August 2, 2024, Trap arrived on digital platforms on August 30 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on November 5, 2024, complete with behind-the-scenes featurettes and director’s commentary. As of late 2024, the film is also streaming on Max, where it continues to polarize audiences eyeing both its thrills and implausibilities.

Conclusion

Trap stands as an audacious entry in M. Night Shyamalan’s oeuvre—equal parts thrilling spectacle, dark comedy, and moral fable. While it may not reach the emotional depths of The Sixth Sense or the narrative precision of The Village, it succeeds in delivering a lean, high-concept ride that showcases Josh Hartnett at his charismatic best.

Whether you’re a die-hard Shyamalan aficionado or simply searching for a suspense-laden outing, Trap movie 2024 offers enough twists, tension, and tongue-in-cheek humor to merit a viewing. Just be prepared: once you enter, there may be no way out.