By Jack Ransom August 13, 2024
The latest M. Night Shyamalan “experience” as it is being billed.
Shyamalan is arguably most known for his oftentimes barmy, out of nowhere and potentially film-make-or-breaking twists and it has always been a somewhat hindrance when going into one of his new films as you have to restrain yourself from attempting to guess and/or work out the (usually) inevitable third act reveal. Thankfully, with Trap (without spoiling any plot beats), the trailer mostly gives the audience exactly what they are prepared for.
Synopsis
Trap sees a father (Josh Hartnett) and his teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) attend a pop concert only to realise they've entered the centre of a dark and sinister event.
Review
There is a palpable 90/00’s tone to the proceedings, which was very much welcome and yes, it is also incredibly refreshing to see a mid-budget, star/director driven, original project on the big screen. The first hour is incredibly tightly paced and M. Night establishes the geography of the location, the stakes and subtle escalation of paranoia to some genuinely ruthlessly tense levels.
Yes, there is certainly some suspension of disbelief to be implemented and some of the character choices and reactions to news/occurrences, as well as some rule bending and incompetence on display that is genuinely bemusing. However, that doesn’t take away too much from the cat and mouse thrill of the hunt.
Without going into too much detail the third act is undeniably a little messy, ridiculous and overextended, and seems to be the tipping point for many viewers overall enjoyment of the flick. Though that being said, it certainly allows for Hartnett to flex his fittingly hammy and genuinely unnerving acting chops.
From a directorial perspective this is certainly one of Shyamalan’s sharpest, leanest and more precise outings. The camerawork is glorious at times and really exciting to see executed. The isolated framing of Cooper (Hartnett) amongst the crowds, the intense close ups of facial expressions and the brilliant split diopter shots. The simultaneous authenticity and ‘stageiness’ of the concert also is captured effectively and without a doubt draws influence from a certain Eras Tour going on at the moment.
Many have commented on Hartnett’s resurgence over the past couple of years (most notably with his memorable supporting role in Oppenheimer), so it’s great to see him in the lead role here. He's clearly having a blast and absolutely nails a mixture of collected, cold, overly sickly sweet, off-kilter and awkward… all with this seemingly boiling underbelly of anger and joy. It’s a genuinely great performance and he makes the majority of Shyamalan’s (occasionally wonky and cringe-inducing) dialogue work. The supporting roles are solid, with M. Night’s daughter Saleka Shyamalan (who also provides all the in-film songs) delivering a believable pop star idol persona, Jonathan Langdon’s Jamie brings a memorable comedic presence and Ariel Donoghue’s growing suspicion towards her father and excitement at the concert work hand in hand.
Trap is a fun, tense, entertaining throwback thriller that delivers basically what you expect from M. Night Shyamalan. Hartnett gives a standout and fittingly wacky performance, the direction is slick, creative and engaging and the pacing in the first hour is fantastic. The film does fumble around in the third act at points and the dialogue and eyebrow raising convenience and unbelievability of certain plot points don’t always land. That being said this is a very solid thriller and in the upper echelon of Shyamalan’s filmography.
Star Rating
Trap is out now in cinemas
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