I have to admit, talented writer-director M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Trap” revealed just how impatient I can be when eagerly anticipating a movie. Even just from the trailer, the concept immediately caught my attention. Casting Josh Hartnett to play a serial killer is a compelling choice for any actor, but knowing that Shyamalan was behind this brilliant idea makes it even more difficult for an actor who should have been recognized as a great talent long ago. It’s a win-win situation.
“The Trap” centers on Cooper Adams (Josh Hartnett), a loving and caring father whose daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue), is traumatized by recent events. , decides to invite her to Mrs. Raven’s (Salika Shyamalan) concerts, including the most high-profile ones. The show is about to begin, the audience is filling the empty seats, and police and SWAT teams outside are ready to catch what they believe is an evil, dangerous, cold-blooded serial killer on the rise.
Minutes into the movie, it was revealed that Cooper was the serial killer. The storyline then focused on his attempts to evade the police and leave the venue without being detected. The emergence of FBI profiler Dr. Josephine Grant (Hayley Mills) sets the stage for a clever cat-and-mouse game that highlights her expertise in reading the minds of criminals like Cooper. . Known as “The Butcher,” Cooper is portrayed as intelligent, manipulative, quick-thinking, and possessing an enviable patience. He was calm, collected and knew what he was doing, but he was about to meet his match.
Each scene raises many questions. Digging deeper into each may reveal how simple and boring the storyline is. However, when you put aside the criticism and appreciate Josh Hartnett’s portrayal of a smart, clever killer, you’ll be more satisfied than ever. The script allows Harnett to showcase his acting chops, his rich facial expressions and his suitability as an actor, capturing the terrifying expressions of a man hiding behind the mask of a married and loving husband.
The central question arises: How can someone love one day and kill the next? The climax of the film reveals that every psychopath is not as smart as they think if the people they live with pay attention to their behavior and become suspicious of certain behaviors. The biggest takeaway isn’t how the police show up at the concert, but what leads to it—circumstances, people, and behaviors that people think are undetectable but actually aren’t. That’s the beauty of storytelling, it doesn’t shy away from getting to the root of a problem, even though it may never provide all the answers, but instead offers some brainstorming, which is cool in its own right.
While some viewers may not be satisfied with certain aspects of the film, those who keep an open mind will find this to be a great film that’s worth every minute. “Trap” marks a stellar return for Hartnett, who once again proves himself an A-list actor worthy of recognition. Shyamalan’s direction and Harnett’s performance combine to make “Trap” an unforgettable thriller that stands out among its peers.
