'Trap' Review: A Gripping Thriller That Stumbles in the Final Act

Josh Hartnett Shines as a Serial Killer at a Pop Concert, but Pacing Issues Hinder the Film’s Potential

In his latest thriller “Trap,” M. Night Shyamalan proves he can still craft suspense with the best of them. The film’s premise is deliciously intriguing: a serial killer attends a pop concert with his daughter, only to realize it’s a sting operation to catch him. Josh Hartnett delivers a captivating performance as the killer. But pacing issues and an unfocused third act keep “Trap” from reaching its full potential.

The Butcher’s Night Out

The film follows Cooper (Hartnett), a seemingly ordinary dad taking his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to see pop star Lady Raven in concert. We quickly learn Cooper’s dark secret: he’s “The Butcher,” a notorious serial killer. As they arrive at the stadium, Cooper notices an unusually high police presence. He soon realizes he’s walked into a trap.

Shyamalan excels at building tension in the film’s first two acts. We watch Cooper navigate the crowded arena, desperately seeking an escape while maintaining his facade as a doting father. Hartnett’s performance is a highlight, skillfully balancing Cooper’s outward charm with his inner panic and menace.

The director makes clever use of the concert setting. Lady Raven’s music (performed by Shyamalan’s daughter Saleka) provides a pulsing backdrop to Cooper’s attempts to evade capture. The crowded, chaotic environment of the arena becomes both a hindrance and a potential cover for our anti-hero.

A Shift in Perspective Derails the Momentum

Just as the cat-and-mouse game reaches its peak, Shyamalan makes a puzzling choice. The film shifts focus away from Cooper, following another character’s efforts to catch him. While this section still has moments of tension, it lacks the unique perspective that made the earlier parts so compelling.

This change in direction feels like a misstep. The audience has been invested in Cooper’s desperate attempts to escape. Switching gears so late in the game disrupts the film’s rhythm and dilutes its impact. A tighter focus on Cooper’s increasingly frantic efforts might have delivered a more satisfying climax.

Shyamalan’s Strengths and Weaknesses on Display

“Trap” showcases both Shyamalan’s talents and his occasional missteps as a filmmaker. His ability to create suspense remains strong. Several sequences – including a nail-biting piano scene – demonstrate his mastery of building and releasing tension.

However, the director’s tendency to overexplain rears its head in the final act. A protracted sequence following Cooper’s wife (Alison Pill) feels unnecessary and further slows the film’s momentum. While the very last scene leaves a strong impression, it comes too late to fully redeem the meandering conclusion.

Hartnett: A Career-Best Performance

Josh Hartnett deserves praise for his work as Cooper. He fully commits to the role, convincingly portraying both the caring father and the ruthless killer beneath the surface. Hartnett makes Cooper’s desperate attempts to escape both thrilling and unsettling. We’re simultaneously repulsed by his actions and morbidly fascinated by his resourcefulness.

This performance continues Hartnett’s recent career resurgence, following strong turns in “Oppenheimer” and “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.” His work in “Trap” proves he can carry a film as a complex, morally ambiguous lead.

A Trapped Opportunity

“Trap” had the potential to be one of Shyamalan’s best films in years. The premise is unique, and the first two-thirds of the movie deliver genuine thrills. Hartnett’s performance alone makes the film worth watching for many viewers.

Yet the unfocused final act prevents “Trap” from fully realizing its promise. The shift away from Cooper’s perspective feels like a narrative misstep. It robs the film of the very element that made it stand out: the uncomfortable experience of following a killer as he tries to evade justice.

Shyamalan described “Trap” as “The Silence of the Lambs at a Taylor Swift concert.” While that elevator pitch is intriguing, the film never quite lives up to that lofty comparison. We don’t get enough of Cooper’s menace or inner workings to rival Hannibal Lecter. The concert setting, while initially novel, starts to feel repetitive as the film progresses.

A Return to Form in Trap, With Caveats

Despite its flaws, “Trap” represents a step in the right direction for Shyamalan after the mixed receptions of “Old” and “Knock at the Cabin.” The director proves he can still craft tense, suspenseful sequences that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

If Shyamalan had maintained the film’s initial focus and tightened the pacing in the final act, “Trap” could have been a true return to form. As it stands, it’s a flawed but often engaging thriller that showcases the director’s strengths while reminding us of his weaknesses.

For Shyamalan fans and thriller enthusiasts, “Trap” is worth a watch, if only for Hartnett’s riveting performance and the film’s genuinely tense first two acts. Just be prepared for a finale that doesn’t quite live up to the promising setup.

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