Trap : a killer hunted in the middle of a concert
Throughout his career, M. Night Shyamalan He has established himself as a master in the art of the twist. Although the important thing in his works is often elsewhere, such as the emotional impact that comes from it Sixth sense beyond its famous plot twist, the audience now expects to be surprised by a scenario capable of manipulating it. From that moment on, we wondered how the director would have gotten away with it Trapwhich, from its trailer, seemed to have revealed the most important thing. Namely that Murderous police hope to trap them at pop star’s concert It’s none other than Cooper (Josh Hartnett), this caring father who takes his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to see her idol, Lady Raven (Saleka).
Except for his seventeenth feature film, and after having proposed works that take on surrealist intrigues (Knock on the booth, Old, Glass AND Divided), the filmmaker continues to renew himself and play with his audience a pure thriller. So instead of going for one big twist, the director opts for a series of twists during Cooper’s escape attempt. Even though it isa bloodthirsty serial killernicknamed the Butcher, M. Night Shyamalan’s magic makes the audience want to see how he will manage to fool the police and find a way out without alarming his daughter. The director therefore maintains the suspense throughout the film Trapadding touches of humor as he has the secret.
M. Night Shyamalan plays with genre and expectations
Of course, in the hands of another director, Trap It would seem quite classic. But with M. Night Shyamalan you have to go beyond the simple thriller to see a deeper questioning of his own art. that of manipulation. Here the director makes Cooper a master of the subject. The man is capable of the worst (causing an accident with a fryer or pushing a little girl down the stairs), but also of achieving his goal by appearing good and attentive, a perfect father. His ease in manipulating those he meets is at the same time funny and frightening. And Josh Hartnett’s performance is excellent because the actor manages to show different faces.
For his part, M. Night Shyamalan Bets on Superiority with an unstoppable and resourceful Cooper. The last shot of Trap also appears as an amused wink from the director, indicating that this game of stakeouts and escapes could prove to be endless. Also a way to play the codes of the horror genre where the antagonist always manages to return – let’s also think about The Silence of the Lambs that to Halloween.
A world of screens
Finally, M. Night Shyamalan has with Trap the desire to question oneself the relationship with the imageon the screens (omnipresent at the concert and outside) and on social networks. Even if it remains superficial, at least it has the intelligence not to fall into easy criticism. It is more an observation of the situation that it makes, in just a handful of scenes.
First through Riley, in conflict with a group of girls from her school who have decided to exclude her, but who appear on social networks. Then emphasizing just enough on the countless phones pointed at Lady Raven as soon as she entered the stage in front of a disconcerted Cooper. Before revealing a certain usefulness in the last act. The tool is becoming a way to connect and unite the masses to act against Cooper.
Trap by M. Night Shyamalan, in theaters from August 7, 2024. Above is the trailer.
Source: Cine Serie
Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.
