Summary
Trapdirector M. Night Shyamalan explains whyTrapmakes a big reveal right away. The trailers forTrapalready uncovered one of the film’s major plot points: that the protagonist, played by Josh Hartnett, is the infamous killer named the Butcher who the authorities are searching for at a Lady Raven concert.Trapreleases August 2, and features a leading cast including Hartnett, Hayley Mills, Alison Pill, Saleka Shyamalan, Kid Cudi, Ariel Donoghue, Tim Russ, and Marnie McPhail.
Speaking withComicbook.com, Shyamalan details why Hartnett’s true identity is revealed early inTrap.According to Shyamalan, he feels thatrevealing this twist right away would makeTrapdifferentfrom the countless other films about serial killers. He states that “the actualinteresting and wicked part of the movie is you are him” and you get to experience “what life is like for you on the day you might get caught.” He described Hartnett’s character as “both the antagonist and the protagonist.” Check out the full quote from Shyamalan below:
The the actual interesting and wicked part of the movie is you are him. That was the thing that made me want to do it. We’ve seen a million stories about serial killers, but to say you are him and this is what life is like for you on the day that you might get caught [is new].
The villain is the protagonist. He’s both the antagonist and the protagonist. It’s very interesting. The good guys at points are the antagonist and you’re like, ‘How did I get here on this side of this argument?’ I was rooting for him. We know this is not the good guy, but we kind of want to see him continue to evade all this. It was really cool.
How This Choice Makes Trap Different Than Other Shyamalan Films
Shyamalan Is Known for His Twists
Not only is theTraptwist revealed early on in the film, but it has been a critical part of the film’s marketing. This approach is a change toShyamalan’s filmographyprecedent, as the director has practicallybuilt his career off of the twist ending. Ever sinceThe Sixth Sensewas released in 1999, a major throughline in the director’s films has been uncovering some kind of major secret or twist in the film’s final moments.Trapdoes not do this with its main reveal, as it will be known by most audiences going into the movie.
Despite Hartnett’s identity being revealed so early on inTrap, Shyamalan stands by his decision. In July, Shyamalan addressed the common concern thatTraphad revealed too much in the trailer. The director said he always knew that he would marketTraplike so, noting that was how he was “going to sell it.” As for his reasoning, Shyamalan recognized that part of a film’s “storytelling” comes months before a movie actually enters theaters, as publicity can impact the audience’s perception.
Trap Ending & All Twists Explained
The latest thriller from M. Night Shyamalan features a slow burn cat-and-mouse game with the traditional twist ending to go with twists along the way.
So far, it seems likeTrap’s approach may not have benefitted the film. At the time of writing,Trap’s reviewsare mixed, with a Tomatometer that puts the movie at a43% score. So, while it is interesting for Shyamalan to break his own conventions withTrap’s plot structure, it looks like Shyamalan’s risky move may not have worked out as well as he would have hoped.
Trap
Cast
Trap is a film by writer-director M. Night Shyamalan under his Blinding Edge Pictures label. The film is part of a deal struck with Warner Bros for him to direct and produce several films under their banner.
