Trap is a genuine crowd-pleaser and a reminder to cast Josh Hartnett in way more stuff

Why isn't Josh Hartnett headlining way more movies? We need the Hartnettaissance. His performance in M. Night Shyamalan's latest film Trap is nothing short of brilliant. Hartnett is having an absolute blast in this movie from start to finish.

His acting, combined with Shymalan's sometimes-silly-bordering-on-campy script, and the brilliant cinematography from Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Call Me By Your Name) makes Trap one of my favorite movies of the year. A film I had an absolute blast watching from start to finish.

I keep trying to think of the right words to describe Trap and going around in circles until I come back to one that's pretty simple: fun. "Fun" feels like such a simple, trite, and maybe even lame word to use, but it's also the descriptor that feels most apt. Trap sees Hartnett deliver a deeply sinister performance that can easily waver between a cute, dorky dad to a terrifying psychopath within seconds.

You can see layers to Hartnett's performance here as Cooper, or the serial killer known as "The Butcher." But there's also a levity to the film and some comedy that keeps it from ever becoming too dark. You can't help but kind of root for Cooper to escape the concert "trap" and get away from the FBI, even if he is a violent killer. Shyamalan makes Cooper a likable character by focusing on the relationship with his daughter Riley, who he brings to a concert for her favorite singer, Lady Raven (played by Shyamalan's daughter, the real-life singer Saleka Shyamalan).

About half-way through the concert, Cooper learns that the entire thing has been transformed into a trap by the FBI especially for him. He spends the bulk of the movie trying to figure out how to escape from the building without getting flagged and investigated by the dozens of cops patrolling the place.

I think most people will love the first two-thirds or so of the film, but it's what happens after (MILD SPOILER!) they leave the concert that the movie becomes a little more polarizing. That's often the case in Shyamalan's movies as the man is known for his twists.

What I liked about Trap is that while I'm sure viewers will anticipate a twist, there isn't a big one like we've seen in his other movies. He has a simple concept here, in his own words: "The Silence of the Lambs if it took place at a Taylor Swift concert," and he executes it effectively. Yet he still expertly weaves a fast-paced narrative where you never quite know what's going to happen next.

There was never a moment in this when I wasn't enjoying myself. There are some faults: the third act drags on a bit too long, there are a couple of moments toward the end of the film that start to push your sense of disbelief and become a bit too silly, and Shyamalan's dialogue will never be for everyone. Nevertheless, Trap worked for me on pretty much every level.

But Hartnett is the real star here. This movie hinges on his performance, and if he wasn't up to the task, it wouldn't be nearly as successful as it is. His performance, working in tandem with Mukdeeprom's often unexpected camera work and Shyamalan's directing, makes Trap one of the most entertaining movies of 2024.

Trap is now paying in theaters. To stay up to date on thrillers, sci-fi, and horror, bookmark 1428 Elm and follow our Facebook page and Twitter account!