M. Night's Trap: A Thriller That Misses Its Mark

The premise of the movie looked promising, and the trailer was filled with suspense, but, ultimately, this psychological thriller fails to deliver on its initial allure.

Josh Hartnett stars as Cooper, a serial killer on the loose known ominously as "The Butcher." If the lack of originality in his murderous persona’s name wasn’t a red flag for what was to come, the unfolding plot surely was. At the film’s outset, Cooper attends a concert with his teenage daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue),. The venue is packed with excited fans, screaming teenagers and their mothers alike, eager to watch the pop sensation Lady Raven (Saleka) perform. From the very beginning, we see Cooper scanning the crowd, his eyes lingering on the high level of security and police presence.

Determined to gather more information, he befriends a member of the staff, who reveals to him that the whole concert is a ruse to catch the serial killer, aka Cooper himself. The staff member, conveniently claiming to be a devoted fanatic of "The Butcher," quickly spills valuable information to Cooper, who he had labelled as a ‘stand-up guy’ after just one interaction. This moment sets the stage for a string of attempts at escape.

What follows should have evoked a sense of claustrophobia and urgency as Cooper strives to evade capture and reveals himself as the killer,  especially since we have been  following his point of view throughout the movie so far. Instead, the pacing falters, and the film begins to lose coherence in the second half, veering into a different narrative territory altogether. New characters are introduced, and we switch perspectives without sufficient buildup, making it hard to stay invested in Cooper’s plight.

One character who stands out is Lady Raven, Cooper's ticket out of the venue. However, I struggled to relate to her portrayal. When faced with a serial killer, her reactions feel far from what one would consider 'normal.' She doesn’t let her fear overpower her, she is calculating and at times confrontational with Cooper, as she was trained as an agent rather than a teenage popstar. This dissonance in her character diminishes the tension; instead of a gripping dynamic between predator and prey, we get a series of interactions that lack the emotional weight necessary to elevate the stakes.

The film transitions into a repetitive cat-and-mouse chase, punctuated by appearances from the agent in charge of Cooper’s investigation, played by Hayley Mills. Her stoic demeanor offers little in terms of emotional engagement, which makes her presence feel more like a checklist than a meaningful addition to the plot. The stakes never seem high enough to keep the audience on edge, and the film suffers as a result.

There’s a poignant moment that stands out—Cooper's confrontation with his wife (Alison Pill). This scene feels rich and layered, offering a rare glimpse into Cooper’s psyche. It’s unfortunate that we have to wait until the end of the movie to delve into any real depth of Cooper’s character, leaving much of the film feeling superficial. The lack of exploration into his backstory—particularly his trauma associated with his mother—leaves audiences without a clear understanding of his motivations or internal struggles.

From a directorial perspective, it’s hard for me to criticise M. Night Shyamalan, especially as a fan of his previous work. However, the extreme close-ups throughout the film do not quite land as intended. While Hartnett delivers a commendable performance, the character ultimately lacks the depth needed for a gripping psychological thriller. We catch glimpses of a traumatic past that could explain his behaviour, but these moments feel more like half-formed ideas rather than fully realised arcs.

Ultimately, TRAP  breaks its promise of being a psychological suspense thriller, failing on both counts. The film feels disjointed, lacking coherence and emotional resonance. The plot’s credibility is stretched thin as the characters remain one-dimensional and the stakes never feel significant enough to keep viewers engaged.

In a genre that thrives on tension, fear, and intricate character development, this film feels like a missed opportunity. The disconnection between the initial premise and the final execution leaves audiences yearning for a more compelling narrative—a psychological thriller that truly explores the darkness within its characters, rather than skimming the surface of their motivations. If you’re hoping for a nail-biting experience, you may want to look elsewhere.

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