Trap (2024)
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
In M. Night Shyamalan's latest outing, everyone in a large city is in a frenzy. Why? That's because they're up and ready to watch a concert performed by famous pop star Lady Raven. Two of her fans, a man named Cooper and his daughter Riley, attend the concert with high spirits, but things slowly begin to change their tune. Amongst the screams of adoration and sounds of applause, the concert itself has a hidden identity: a front to fish out an infamous serial killer known as The Butcher. With security cameras rigged, armies of policemen with weapons at the ready, and police vehicles surrounding the venue, will anyone survive their concert experience or is there more to The Butcher than meets the eye?—Affan Jamsari - Actors:
- Josh Hartnett, Alison Pill, Hayley Mills, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Marnie McPhail, Vanessa Smythe, Jonathan Langdon, Malik Jubal, Peter D'Souza, Daniel Karp, Ty Pravong, John Andrews, Maria Halimi, Kristi Woods, Kaitlyn Dallan, Mila Tupy, Scott Ian MacDougall, Karina Grzella, Kristopher Grzella
- Directors:
- M. Night Shyamalan
- Producers:
- Marc Bienstock, Ashwin Rajan, M. Night Shyamalan
- Writers:
- M. Night Shyamalan
- Aka:
- Good Grades
- Genres:
- Drama, Horror, Thrillers
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Reviews (2) of Trap
Regrets - Shyamalan Has a Few - Trap review by griggs
You will already know the plot outline if you've seen the trailers, so I won't mention it here. I did appreciate the Hitchcockian style of direction in the first act, where you find yourself rooting for Josh Hartnett's character to escape, even though he's a sadistic serial killer. That said, during the first 30 minutes, Hartnett's performance feels off—misguided and somewhat stiff, likely due to a questionable direction. Yet, in the final act, he truly shines, despite the film's last third abandoning the original premise.
Director M. Night Shyamalan, known for his plot twists, doesn't let you down here. The big one is that when the credits roll, you realise you've just watched a two-hour advert for Shyamalan's daughter, who plays a significant role in the movie, and little else.
Expecting a nail-biting experience? You won't find it here. The film lacks the suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Instead, what you're left with is a sense of disappointment and regret for the missed opportunity to create a truly thrilling experience.
M Night Shymalan's worst since The Happening - Trap review by AER
OK this year we've already had The Watched which was directed by M Night Shymalan's daughter. That was intriguing at best but couldn't glue its many ideas into a coherent whole. And while M Night Shyamalan's new one Trap certainly has a tighter plot, its problems are more endemic. The main problem I had with Trap was Josh Hartnett's performance - he seems to be striving for a heightened Nicolas Cage-style performance in this, and that's not what the film needed. it's too broad and it shows up the short comings of the script. The plot is gripping but only because you want to see how this car-crash of a movie can astound you. It's a shame really as the girl who plays Josh H's daaghter (Ariel Donohue) is actually brilliant and convincing. It's also worth a look to see Hayley Mills in her first Hollywood role since the late 70s (I think). The spiralling plot is interesting but quite crazy and unconvincing. Is it fun though? It had its moments, but if you compare it Split or Unbreakable that traded in brilliant lead acting performances, Trap, is terrible. Sorry.