As a die-hard fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s works who has eagerly anticipated every twist and turn since the days of “The Sixth Sense,” I must confess that “Trap” left me feeling more like a fish out of water than one of the Butcher’s victims. The film, in my humble opinion, lacked the intrigue and suspense that are synonymous with Shyamalan’s storytelling.
In the world of filmmaking, few names are as closely associated with plot twists as M. Night Shyamalan. Since his groundbreaking debut with “The Sixth Sense” and its famous line “I see dead people”, audiences have eagerly anticipated unexpected endings in Shyamalan’s movies. For the most part, he has fulfilled this expectation, delivering surprising conclusions in films like “Signs”, “The Visit”, and more recently, “Knock at the Cabin”.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I must admit that M. Night Shyamalan’s latest offering, “Trap“, featuring Josh Hartnett as an enigmatic father figure who accompanies his daughter to a pop concert, fell short of the grand expectations set by its promotions. Unlike the intricate plot twists that have become synonymous with Shyamalan’s work, “Trap” lacks a true twist in the traditional sense. Instead, it presents a few unexpected turns, but none that truly match up to the masterful storytelling we’ve come to expect from him. The narrative of “Trap“, and why its “twists” feel less impactful than those in his other projects, is something I found myself pondering throughout my viewing experience.
What Happens in Trap?
Trap is based on the true events of Operation Flagship. The story centers around Cooper Abbott (Josh Hartnett), a firefighter from Philadelphia and father to teenage fanatic Riley (Ariel Donoghue) of fictional pop star Lady Raven, portrayed by Saleeka Night Shyamalan, in real life. In recognition of her good academic performance, Cooper decides to take Riley to a Lady Raven concert. Little does he know that this entire night has been orchestrated as a trap to capture the elusive local murderer, “The Butcher.
Absolutely, The Butcher turns out to be none other than Cooper. Initially, Cooper slips away to the restroom, secretly accessing an encrypted app on his phone that displays a live feed of a young man named Spencer being held captive in a cellar by him. The FBI has all exits from the stadium sealed off, searching for a person matching Cooper’s description precisely. Subsequently, Cooper embarks on a chain of intricate escapades, robberies, and distractions to escape the arena without drawing unnecessary attention or spoiling his daughter’s concert enjoyment.
In the end, Cooper and Riley find themselves behind the scenes. In a desperate attempt to break free from their predicament, Cooper requests a private conversation with Lady Raven. He tells her that he is The Butcher and warns her that he will kill Spencer if she doesn’t let him and Riley leave in Lady Raven’s limousine without alerting the police. She agrees, but once they are inside the vehicle, Lady Raven asks Riley if it’s alright for her to visit their home. Later on, Lady Raven discloses to the family that the FBI was aware The Butcher would be at her concert. Throughout the rest of the movie, Cooper manages to elude capture using various intricate methods, such as a hidden tunnel and pretending to be a SWAT team member. In the end, he returns home where he confronts his wife, Rachel (played by Alison Pill).
Were There Any Twists in Trap?
In Shyamalan’s previous works, a surprising twist often flips the story on its head. However, in the movie “Trap,” while there are many developments, there is little sense of surprise or deviation from what we initially perceive. From the very start, it becomes clear that Cooper is the Butcher, and the nature of his crimes as well as his current victim, Spencer, are shown to the audience within the first twenty minutes.
It transpires that Lady Raven was privy to the scheme to apprehend the Butcher. Though it’s a bit puzzling why the police would brief her about their probe, it’s not surprising that she would need some understanding of a major SWAT operation taking place during her concert. When Cooper confesses to Lady Raven that he is indeed the Butcher, it serves more as a plot convenience rather than a shocking twist. At that juncture in the narrative, Cooper sees no other alternative but to admit his identity to Lady Raven. This revelation doesn’t offer any fresh insights about the setting or characters.
The Big Reveal Is Not a Revelation
Still, any Shyamalan fan knows that he usually saves his twist reveal until the end. The viewer might expect this to come in the scene between Cooper and his wife, Rachel. Will she be in on the crime as well? Was Rachel really the Butcher all along? Did the concert venue somehow make every attendee old? But no, the only reveal here is that Rachel had done some sleuthing of her own and planted a concert ticket in hopes that the police would take matters into their own hands.
In simpler terms, this event isn’t the shocking turn of events that many might have anticipated. The audience was previously informed about his arrest through a found ticket, and they were aware to some degree that his family knew he was the Butcher. This final revelation may offer a sense of resolution, but it’s not the surprising plot twist that viewers likely hoped for at the start of the screening.
In summary, the climax of the film seems less like an unexpected plot twist and more like a recurring theme from earlier in the story. This repetition may lead some viewers to find it unoriginal or even tedious due to the lack of suspense. Unfortunately, without any surprising revelations or twists at the end, the movie Trap leaves much to be desired and raises many questions that linger long after the film has ended.
In Shyamalan’s other movies, even those that received mixed reviews such as “Old” and “The Village”, a twist emerges that might prompt viewers to reconsider the film in light of its new context. However, unlike these films, “Trap” doesn’t require a second viewing. The narrative is straightforward and follows a linear path, but it does maintain Shyamalan’s signature touch of being somewhat far-fetched. Unlike his other movies where viewers enjoy trying to guess the upcoming twist, those who attempt to do so with “Trap” will only be left feeling let down.
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2024-10-21 06:01