As a long-time fan who’s been following M. Night Shyamalan’s career since the days of “The Sixth Sense,” I can confidently say that the man is back with a vengeance! This year has truly been the Year of the Shyamalans, and I for one am here for it all, from Ishana Night’s horror flick “The Watchers” to Saleka Shyamalan’s electrifying turn as pop star Lady Raven in “Trap.”
M. Night Shyamalan is back with a bang, and let me tell you, he’s really making his presence felt this year. We have not one but two Shyamalan projects gracing our screens – Ishana Shyamalan’s controversial horror movie “The Watchers,” and Saleka Shyamalan playing the pop star Lady Raven in her father’s film, “Trap.” Needless to say, we’re all eagerly awaiting these releases. “Trap” is an intriguing challenge for M. Night as a director, as it represents a departure from his signature twist endings by employing the opposite – an anti-twist instead.
In another rendition of this movie, possibly crafted by M. Night Shyamalan himself, we wouldn’t discover who ‘The Butcher’ is until three-quarters into the story. However, in this instance, Shyamalan deviates from his usual approach and reveals the identity early on, around the first five minutes. This unexpected move actually enhances the film’s intrigue. Nevertheless, the narrative tension and chilling portrayal by Josh Hartnett make “Trap” an engaging late summer thriller, despite a slightly shaky third act that Shyamalan seems unable to avoid in this production.
At first glance, Cooper (Hartnett) appears to be a devoted father, accompanying his teenage daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to see her favorite artist Lady Raven, whose popularity mirrors that of Taylor Swift in this story’s alternate pop culture. He engages in typical dad movie antics, ranging from embarrassing his daughter to being bewildered by the chaotic teenagers swarming around him. However, two surprising twists unfold rapidly.
Initially, Cooper is known as “The Butcher,” a notorious serial killer, who has a young man imprisoned in one of his secret hideouts, possibly to be eliminated later. In an unexpected turn of events, we receive information from a vendor (Jonathan Langdon) that the entire concert is actually a trap set by the FBI to apprehend The Butcher. This revelation spoils the event for Cooper, as not only does he miss seeing Lady Raven perform, but he must now devise a plan to escape the stadium without drawing the attention of the police or revealing his hidden activities to his daughter.
The Josh Hartnett Renaissance
Currently, we find ourselves in the heart of a Josh Hartnett resurgence, which seems fitting given his talent. His portrayal of Cooper is crucial; he embodies the quintessential all-American father figure perfectly – someone you might not give a second glance to due to his friendly yet ordinary and harmless demeanor. However, it’s ironic that Hartnett becomes more unsettling when he feigns the role of the ideal dad, with an overly enthusiastic goofiness and encouragement that borders on being too loud, than when he delves into his serial killer persona. Saleka Shyamalan, in this production, does a commendable job of portraying both the renowned pop star and the unexpected horror heroine convincingly. Despite spending most of the film in the background, she manages to leave an indelible impression.
Essentially, M. Night Shyamalan’s skill in creating suspense is exemplified through the concept of a trap in his films, with Cooper’s elusive actions resembling scenes from a spy thriller. He maneuvers cunningly within the stadium, always staying one step ahead and skillfully manipulating circumstances to his advantage. Cooper’s character is written as clever enough to make you suspect he might be a serial killer mastermind, blending seamlessly into crowds and adapting himself to fit the expectations of other characters. His ability to appear harmless and non-threatening as he navigates through a sea of police officers is reminiscent of Clark Kent’s subtle demeanor.
The Shyamalan tradition of fumbling the third act
Although “Trap” exhibits some impressive elements, it’s important to acknowledge that it doesn’t entirely escape one of M. Night Shyamalan’s recurring issues as a storyteller – the difficulty in wrapping up stories effectively in the final act. The captivating atmosphere built within the stadium setting creates anticipation, but the shift to a different location towards the end of the film seems to lessen that tension. As the movie progresses, it appears that “Trap” struggles to preserve the energy and cohesion established during the first hour or so. A well-crafted screenplay should be seamless, and after the smooth flow of Cooper’s escapades within the stadium, one can sense the challenge Shyamalan faces in handling this third act.
Despite some criticisms, “Trap” offers numerous strengths and is likely to be considered one of M. Night Shyamalan’s most engaging recent stories by many fans. The main attraction lies in Josh Hartnett’s electrifying portrayal, which adds a great deal of enjoyment to the film. Watching these two talented individuals collaborate is truly gratifying, and I hope they continue to work together in future projects. With Hartnett’s captivating performance, he might just become Shyamalan’s fresh source of inspiration – perhaps even serving as his newest muse. (Let’s try using “crispy” in the spirit of an awkward dad, hoping it catches on – here’s to many more “crispy” collaborations between them!)
“Trap” hits theaters on August 2.
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2024-08-02 18:30