Growing up, I always thought Josh Hartnett was one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors. His performances in The Faculty and Black Hawk Down were impressive, but it was his overlooked three-season stint in Penny Dreadful that solidified my belief in his talent.
He’s an actor whose projects I eagerly anticipate, hoping a director would recognise his potential.
Recently, we’ve seen him in numerous projects, including Oppenheimer, Die Hart, Wrath of Man, and Black Mirror. But with his latest project, Trap, I might finally get what I’ve been waiting for.
Trap is a 2024 American psychological thriller written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan for Blinding Edge Pictures.
It stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Alison Pill. The plot follows a serial killer evading a police blockade while attending a concert with his daughter.
Back to the basics
Trap feels like a movie from the 90s with a very simple premise and huge focus on character. The tension and suspense are clearly inspired by 90's thrillers.
Standout elements
The concept of the story is compelling. In an era dominated by grand visual and special effects. It’s refreshing to see a movie with a contained, simple premise.
Shyamalan throws the one of film’s twist earlier on in the film, then focuses on the characters and the situation the primary character finds himself in.
This approach challenges the viewer, presenting two versions of the character and eventually making you somehow empathise with him.
Josh Hartnett is perfect for the role, seamlessly switching from charismatic and charming to a sociopath within a blink of an eye.
Shyamalan and the production team did an excellent job recreating a large-scale concert. The performance and staging are so convincing that you’d believe it was a real concert.
The choice to give the audience’s perspective of the concert was crucial in selling the premise. The cinematography is appropriate for the film, never overshadowing the story.
The concert scenes are atmospheric and grand, with impressive props, costumes, and a large number of extras.
The movie’s MVPs are suspense and tension. For most of the second and third acts, I was on the edge of my seat. The director introduces scenarios that make you ask yourself, “What would I do in this situation?”.
Nitpicks
There is a case of nepotism with Lady Raven, the fictional musician played by the director’s real-life daughter.
While it’s not a big deal, it’s noticeable that we spend a lot of time with her, and several of her songs get extended playtime, which felt slightly unusual.
Additionally, there were moments that didn’t make sense based on what the movie had established. The film also feels like it has more than one ending.
Josh Hartnett
Josh Hartnett is really good in this film, showcasing his acting chops similar to his roles in Penny Dreadful and Oppenheimer.
This performance should ideally lead to more projects that fully utilise his screen presence and talent, perhaps even in a superhero movie.
It baffles me that actors like Eva Green and Josh Hartnett haven’t been cast in superhero films.
Conclusion
Trap is a perfectly paced, character-driven thriller that deviates from Shyamalan’s usual big twist, focusing instead on immersing you in the main character’s experience, who happens to be a serial killer.
The simplicity of the premise makes for a thrilling and engaging experience.
Despite moments that ask you to suspend disbelief, the movie still manages to deliver a good time in the theater.
