In 'Trap', the latest film from director M. Night Shyamalan, a Taylor Swift concert is the unlikely backdrop for a game of cat and mouse between a serial killer and law enforcement. Josh Hartnett plays Cooper, a seemingly ordinary father on the run from the authorities, who is actually the serial killer in question. His daughter is a huge fan of pop sensation Lady Raven, played by Saleka Shyamalan, the director's own daughter. At Lady Raven's concert, under the guise of being an average concert-goer, Cooper attempts to evade capture.
While his daughter fully immerses herself in the frenzy of the concert environment, Cooper tries to stay one step ahead of the police with the help of Jonathan Langdon’s Jamie, a comical vendor providing crucial information on how law enforcement is trying to catch him.
The tension and suspense in 'Trap' derive from the subplot that the audience knows from early on that Cooper is the wanted fugitive. The film is a veritable rollercoaster of misdirection and suspense.
Hartnett delivers a strong and nuanced performance, portraying Cooper's tension perfectly, while managing to maintain a semblance of 'normalcy'. As the plot unfolds, we obverse subtle signs of ostensible anxiety that creep into his character's behavior.
'Trap', while primarily a thriller, incorporates the director's daughter Saleka’s original music, which adds depth to both the storytelling and the concert environment, serving as a portrayal of stardom in the digital era.
Despite its innovative concept, 'Trap' faces challenges in maintaining its pace, with the constant chase and a subplot involving Lady Raven diminishing its overall momentum. Nevertheless, M. Night Shyamalan’s 'Trap' delivers a stylish thriller filled with suspense and high entertainment value.
