Trap
★★
It’s been a while since I walked into an M. Night Shyamalan movie, and honestly, my skepticism was as high as ever. After the polarizing Lady in the Water, I took a long break from his work. But then came Trap, with its Hitchcockian vibes teased in the trailer—a suspenseful concept that seemed tailor-made for a nail-biter. Against my better judgment, I dove back in, and well… I wish I’d brought some popcorn and a group of friends for a comedy-of-errors watch party.
The premise, like much of Shyamalan’s work, is undeniably intriguing: an event worker at a stadium concert becomes entangled in an elaborate plot that somehow involves the FBI. Josh Hartnett stars as the lead, doing his best with what he’s given. And yet, even Hartnett’s earnest performance can’t salvage the film from its own convoluted, logic-defying mess.
The script is where Trap falters most. Suspension of disbelief is one thing; this film demands you leave it entirely at the door. The idea that FBI agents would trust a random event worker with a high-stakes mission? Laughable. And that’s just one of many implausibilities littering the plot. Shyamalan’s trademark twists and reveals—once his signature strength—feel more baffling than brilliant here, as if he’s trying to write his way out of a maze he never mapped out.
Then there’s the Shyamalan stiffness, an odd hallmark of his directorial style. Somehow, he still hasn’t figured out how to coax natural performances from his cast. Every line delivery feels stilted, every interaction oddly formal. Even in moments that should feel tense or emotional, you can almost hear the gears grinding in the actors’ heads as they attempt to navigate the wooden dialogue.
And yet… I can’t say I hated Trap. It’s the kind of “so bad, it’s good” movie that’s unintentionally entertaining. There’s a certain joy in watching the absurdity unfold, from Hartnett’s occasionally magical-seeming character to the baffling editing choices that create more confusion than intrigue. This isn’t a great movie. It’s not even a good one. But somehow, it’s weirdly enjoyable in all the wrong ways.
Trap is the cinematic equivalent of a karaoke performance by someone who thinks they’re nailing Whitney Houston. It’s earnest, ambitious and deeply flawed—but it’s hard not to crack a smile at the effort. If you’re going to watch it, grab some friends, keep your expectations low, and prepare to laugh at the sheer audacity of it all. You won’t be scared, but you might just be entertained.
