Writer director M. Night Shyamalan burst onto the scene he captured the attention of audiences with his hit film The Sixth Sense. After a string of hits, he has had ups and downs with his unique visions. I can honestly say that I enjoyed it more than not despite what some might have felt. His return to form for me came with the unexpected return to the Unbreakable universe with the completed trilogy with Split and Glass. Now he is teaming up with Josh Harnett for his latest film Trap, but could it be another return to form, or will it fail to spring the trap?

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Trap follows a father and teen daughter attending a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event. The film co-stars Ariel Donoghue, Hayley Mills, Allison Pill and M. Night’s real-life daughter Saleka Shyamalan who wrote and performed all the music.

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From the first trailer I was all in, but also concerned that it might be revealing too much. My trust in the style of Shyamalan led me to believe there was something more than we were being told and I wasn’t wrong, but also it was a rare film by him that was straight forward in its execution.

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I did enjoy the film quite a bit and to my surprise knowing the major plot point was fine as it is revealed almost out the gate to set it all up. It’s the events that follow focusing on him trying to weave himself in and out in an attempt to get out of the arena that is the true focus. Thanks to an awesome performance by Hartnett this is plenty to keep you engaged in the story and its limited mystery.

 

That said, there is also a lot of moments that are frustrating in how it plays out including some stuff in the arena that are just not believable initially, but thanks to a humorous mid-credit scene kind of makes up for one of the bigger moments and made me ok with it.

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