M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap marks a continuation of his “late-period comeback,” offering a tense but imperfect thriller that blends family drama and suspense. Moving away from the heavy plot twists of his earlier work, Shyamalan employs what could be termed “Twist Lite”—more minor narrative shifts that are revealed early in the film. This approach allows for a leaner focus on character and atmosphere, resulting in a more contained story without relying on a climactic surprise to carry the entire film.
Trap centres on Cooper (Josh Harnett), a loving father who is secretly a sociopathic serial killer known as “The Butcher.” The film begins with Cooper attending a concert for his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue), only to quickly discover he is the target of a massive police operation. The police, led by Dr. Grant (Hayley Wells), have set up a trap to capture The Butcher at the very venue where Cooper is trying to play the part of the doting dad. What follows is a tense game of cat-and-mouse as Cooper attempts to outwit his pursuers while maintaining his fatherly facade.
Josh Harnett delivers a standout performance as Cooper, shifting seamlessly between a caring father and a calculating murderer. His portrayal adds significant weight to the film, as Cooper’s ability to manipulate the people around him feels chilling and believable. Harnett’s comeback performance is central to the film’s appeal, alongside strong cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, which captures the tense claustrophobia of the concert venue.
While the first two acts of Trap build intense momentum, the film falters slightly in its third act. The introduction of Lady Raven (played by Shyamalan’s real-life daughter, Saleka Shyamalan) adds an emotional twist, but her lack of screen presence slows the pace. The final stretch of the movie feels less focused as Cooper’s escape plan unravels with diminishing urgency, leading to a somewhat underwhelming conclusion.
Despite these flaws, Trap remains a solid entry in M. Night Shyamalan’s filmography, one that trades the high-concept twists of his earlier work for a more grounded, psychological thriller. Fans of Shyamalan’s work will find much to enjoy in its taut, suspenseful setup, even if the ending doesn’t entirely deliver on its early promise. And it has to be personal to him, especially with his daughter Saleka Shyamalan debuting.
