M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap Fails to Capture the Thrills of His Best Movies

In Trap, the suspense builds when the main character, Cooper, discovers he’s actually the notorious serial killer known as "The Butcher." While at a concert, he checks a surveillance feed in the restroom and realizes his latest victim is trapped in a basement. As Cooper mingles with a chatty merch stand vendor (played by the comedic Jonathan Langdon), he learns that the FBI is aware of The Butcher’s presence at the show. The concert turns out to be a setup, with authorities surrounding the venue and questioning every adult male.

Although the premise involves a deranged killer, there's something compelling about rooting for the character despite his malevolent actions. As Cooper tries to stay calm while his situation worsens, the film cleverly escalates the tension with several surprising twists.

Meanwhile, Cooper’s daughter Riley, who is a big fan of Lady Raven (portrayed by Saleka, who performs her own songs), is also caught up in the excitement. Shyamalan uses his signature close-ups to highlight fan culture, adding a fun layer to the plot that becomes significant later on.

Despite its surface-level enjoyment and celebration of pop music, Trap delves into darker themes, including the nature of evil, with British actress Hayley Mills playing a criminologist. Though her role feels somewhat out of place, the film maintains interest with its striking visuals and effective use of suspense.

While Trap doesn’t deliver the intense weirdness of Shyamalan’s recent films like Old or Knock at the Cabin, it is reminiscent of the engaging yet lighter fare like The Visit and Split. The film is well-shot, with impressive angles and a tense atmosphere. Although it eventually leaves the concert venue, it continues to generate unease in everyday settings.

With standout performances from Alison Pill, Kid Cudi, and Russell "Russ" Vitale, and a typical Shyamalan cameo, Trap presents a compelling narrative about a man cornered by his own making. The film offers unexpected twists and turns, earning a solid B+.