Josh Hartnett Gives A Killer Performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s Satisfying Thriller

M. Night Shyamalan, most notable for his multilayered storytelling and shocking twists, takes a different approach with

Trap

. With a classic “to catch a killer” setup — by federal agents to pursue a high-profile criminal — the film serves as an entertaining insight into the psyche and actions of a murderer. Josh Hartnett is the film’s centerpiece and delivers an exceptional performance. The script doesn’t fully support his efforts thanks to silly mishaps and a sudden change in character perspective. But he’s the glue that keeps it all together and the reason to see this film in theaters.

Cooper (Hartnett) is a family man who has brought his daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue), to Lady Raven’s (Saleka Shyamalan) concert in Philadelphia. Thousands of high-pitched screams from fans aren’t all that will await Cooper in the arena. Upon arrival, he witnesses an excessive number of police and FBI agents swarming the venue. They’re on the hunt for “The Butcher,” a local serial killer who is on the verge of his next kill. Unbothered about the dangers this would put Riley in, Cooper has a bigger problem to solve: How can he evade the authorities without revealing he’s their target?

Trap’s Structure Is Entertaining (Even When The Story Isn’t Always Properly Executed)

The majority of Shyamalan’s latest feature plays out like a long game of cat and mouse, and we have front-row tickets to witness the charm and cleverness of a serial killer whose back is against the wall. While convenient by nature, Cooper uses his surroundings (and people) to gather all the information necessary to plot his escape while ensuring his daughter gets the best concert experience. It’s an interesting play at showcasing his style in action — as an intelligent killer/concerned father — leaving us with the morally gray desire to cheer on his escape.

While laid out simply, somewhere along the way Trap’s story forgets to focus on the reason we’re all interested in the movie in the first place: How to trap a killer. Without giving much of this away, certain characters make questionable decisions, and the film changes perspective. That’s not the entire reason for the film’s downfall. Truth be told, the production and pacing could use some serious improvement. But it’s the sudden shift in storytelling that makes the film lose steam and momentum where it should’ve really made some noise.

Shyamalan’s Indecisive Ending Is An Unwelcome Surprise

Shyamalan does play some great cards as Trap’s ending approaches, finally opening up a window to Cooper’s mind. Small but important interactions between him and Lady Raven support the director’s intentions. Unfortunately, it feels as if the film contains multiple endings as a result of Shyamalan having a bit too much fun exploring Cooper’s psyche. This left a sour taste in my mouth as the indecisiveness prolonged the ending. Even the one ending comes at a time when we’ve already been subjected to countless bait and switches.

Despite being flawed, though, Trap is thrilling at times and a ridiculous display of human behavior at others. Don’t expect any deeper meanings or hidden messages buried throughout this script. Shyamalan’s latest project is about as straightforward as it gets. Of course, this is a positive, as viewers can center all their attention on Josh Hartnett. His performance here is another great turn in his late career. It’s not exactly a knock out of the park, but there’s plenty in Shyamalan’s thriller that will hold audiences until the end of summer.

Trap is now playing in theaters. The film is rated PG-13 for some violent content and brief strong language.

3.0

A father and teen daughter attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event.

Pros

• Josh Hartnett gives a stellar performance
• The script sprinkles in subtle humor throughout
• M. Night Shyamalan keeps the storytelling simple

Cons

• The characters make questionable decisions throughout the film
• The pacing and production could use a facelift
• The script relies heavily on circumstance and convenience