As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for thrillers and a penchant for unraveling real-life mysteries, I must say that M. Night Shyamalan’s latest offering, “Trap,” has left me utterly captivated. The film’s plot, inspired by the ingenious Operation Flagship and the elusive Zodiac Killer’s premiere event, strikes an intriguing chord in my heart that resonates with my love for both gaming and uncovering hidden truths.
Contains spoilers for “Trap”
M. Night Shyamalan returns with the thriller “Trap,” where a notorious serial killer is on the run, hiding in a crowded concert venue surrounded by police officers hunting him down. Unlike his previous works filled with supernatural elements like ghosts, aliens, or aging beaches, “Trap” leans more towards reality, which might explain why it draws inspiration from real-life events.
As a seasoned law enforcement officer with years of experience under my belt, I can attest to the ingeniousness of Operation Flagship. Having been involved in numerous sting operations myself, I must admit that this one takes the cake. The idea of using something as innocuous as football tickets to lure fugitives into a trap is simply brilliant. It’s a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of our law enforcement agencies.
As a gamer, it’s downright amusing when you delve into this situation, because it seems like the U.S. marshals have crafted their plan with more hints than an M. Night Shyamalan movie! For instance, the letters they sent to the fugitives were disguised as coming from I. Michael Detnaw, which is “wanted” spelled backward. If I were one of those fugitives, I’d have seen the arrests coming as obviously as the final twist in Shyamalan’s 2004 film, “The Village.”
Trap is also similar to a plan to catch the Zodiac Killer
In relation to M. Night Shyamalan drawing inspiration from Operation Flagship for the movie “Trap,” another real-life tale echoes similar themes. Unlike Operation Flagship which aimed at capturing fugitives accused of narcotics and assault crimes, a man named Tom Hanson sought to apprehend a genuine serial killer in 1971 by organizing a grand premiere event for his film, “The Zodiac Killer.” This intriguing detail was not included in David Fincher’s “Zodiac,” when depicting the actual events.
As the Zodiac Killer eluded authorities and provoked the media, Hanson felt he could capture the killer by releasing a movie about his crimes. He told Temple of Schlock, “I made ‘Zodiac’ for roughly $13,000. No one received payment. I filmed it with the goal of screening it in San Francisco and renting out a theater to set a trap and apprehend that bastard.”
The event showcased a competition where participants wrote their names on cards to potentially win a complimentary motorcycle, with someone verifying the penmanship on the cards to see if any corresponded to the Zodiac’s handwriting. Despite the effort being fruitless, Hanson asserts that a man who looked like the police sketches of the Zodiac depicted on “Wanted” posters spoke to him in the restroom, saying, “You know, real blood doesn’t flow like that.” Whether this encounter is genuine or not, it adds an eerie conclusion to the narrative.
M. Night Shyamalan wants original films to thrive
It appears that Operation Flagship may have sparked the initial concept for the movie “Trap,” but it seems M. Night Shyamalan had a personal interest in involving his real-life singer daughter, Saleka, who portrays pop star Lady Raven in the film. Shyamalan expressed to NPR that he wanted to utilize her musical talent in a film project. He stated, “She had written a few songs for a TV show,” and they thought it would be interesting to create a movie centered around music with characters listening to an entire album. This idea later developed into a narrative about a serial killer father taking his daughter to a concert where the FBI is lying in wait for him, leading to the creation of “Trap.”
M. Night Shyamalan is among the rare directors in contemporary cinema who can successfully launch original films. In an interview with Empire, he expressed his desire to encourage more original storytelling within the industry. “I believe the industry should lean towards unique narratives,” he stated. “I feel that audiences would appreciate it … However, it’s crucial that we experience something fresh in the cinema. I will continue to advocate for this.” The movie “Trap” undeniably stands out with its distinct Shyamalan style and a captivating performance by Josh Hartnett as Cooper, also known as The Butcher.
Surely, the conclusion of “Trap” leaves room for further developments. At present, though, it’s been an exhilarating journey, inspired by a genuine police sting and his daughter’s singing career.
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2024-08-03 02:00