Dad Takes Daughter to Concert, Ends Up in Serial Killer Trap - M. Night Shyamalan Falls Flat
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Trap (2024) Movie
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Trap (2024) Movie

This movie's got all the ingredients for a wild ride - twists, turns, and a whole lot of suspense. You'll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
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Dad Takes Daughter to Concert, Ends Up in Serial Killer Trap - M. Night Shyamalan Falls Flat

summarizeEditor's Summary

M. Night Shyamalan's latest attempt at a thrilling plot twist falls flat, feeling like a rehash of his previous work. The film's biggest problem is its predictability, which makes it hard to care about the characters or the outcome. The story tries to balance a father-daughter relationship with a serial killer plot, but it feels like two separate narratives that don't mesh well. The cast, including Josh Hartnett, does their best with the material they're given, but it's not enough to save the movie.

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settingsSpecifications

KararKötü
Dizayn7/10
Hikaye6/10
GörüntülemeStili8/10
Story
Copper decides to treat his teenage daughter, Riley, to a concert of her favorite artist, Lady Raven. The big show draws a huge crowd.
At one point, the father steps out of the hall. Suddenly, he realizes something strange is going on: he notices a lot of police officers stationed near all the exits. A building staff member whispers to Copper about an upcoming operation. It turns out the concert is a trap, and the target is a notorious serial killer.
He's also there as a spectator. The police are trying to catch the serial killer today. This news is extremely unpleasant for Copper, as he has a secret of his own.
Oh, M. Night Shyamalan, my love, I've seen all your movies before they became mainstream.
And this year, he's released another film, with my favorite, Josh Hartnett, in the lead role.
How could I miss that?
What's the movie like?
Even if I didn't know it was Shyamalan's film, I would've guessed it by the style of the cinematography.
This director loves to divide the space in half and add scenes that don't match the main action.
Plus, the film uses a technique to evoke unpleasant emotions in the viewer.
This is done by showing the characters standing and staring at the camera like mannequins.
Shyamalan also has a clever directorial move where he shows quirky and sometimes bizarre things in a serious tone.
And honestly, everything in this movie 'smells' like Shyamalan, especially when he appears in some scenes.
The plot of the film is quite unusual: at a concert where the father takes his daughter, police are trying to catch a serial killer.
So all the actions unfolding on screen are infused with music, happy fan cheers, and a gradually escalating sense of unease.
I have to admit, after the glowing start of this review, you might be thinking what could have driven me to give 'The Trap' a thumbs down?
So, first of all.
The main actress in this film is the director's daughter, and the thing is, she can't act. Not even a little bit.
Every single emotion she tries to convey is a blank slate.
Whether it's a shocking moment, a frightening scene, or a stressful situation, her reaction is always the same: a completely expressionless face.
And that's just terrible.
I get that Shyamalan wants to launch his daughter's career, but how could he have cast someone who's completely unable to act as the main character?
This girl has no idea how to do her job!
But that's not all that's wrong with this film.
The film, which started off so interestingly, uniquely, and beautifully, was killed off after the midpoint.
At a certain point, the movie descends into absolute absurdity, with no logic or explanation for the characters' actions and motivations.
I'm not even talking about the villain, who's like a dark cloak, able to move through space undetected by the police or anyone else.
Unfortunately, the 'Snare' that I was eagerly anticipating turned out to be the most mind-numbingly stupid film I've seen.
Great start, utterly ridiculous ending! What a letdown
Not even the excellent Hartnett could salvage this movie.
At times, it seemed like he was the only one trying to make 'Snare' a decent film.
But it didn't work out.
To my great disappointment, I wouldn't recommend this movie, especially to fans of Shyamalan or the thriller genre.
This film will definitely disappoint you, and you'll waste your time.
I hope his next film will be a huge improvement, and he'll never cast his daughter in any of his future projects.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is this movie a good choice for fans of M. Night Shyamalan?

Unfortunately, no. This film feels like a step back for the director, who's shown he can do better in the past.

Is the film's plot twist any good?

No, the plot twist is predictable and feels like something you've seen before. It's not surprising or impactful.

Is Josh Hartnett good in this movie?

Yes, Josh Hartnett delivers a solid performance as the lead character. He's one of the few highlights of the film.

Is the movie's score any good?

Yes, the score is catchy and adds to the movie's tension. It's one of the few things that really stands out about the film.

Is the film's pacing well-balanced?

Yes, the film's pacing is well-balanced, with a good mix of action and drama. It's engaging and keeps you interested.

Is the movie's climax any good?

No, the movie's climax is disappointing and feels rushed. It's not satisfying and leaves you feeling unsatisfied.

Is the film's theme of family and loyalty well-explored?

Yes, the film's themes of family and loyalty are well-explored. They're an important part of the story and add depth to the characters.

Is the movie worth watching?

No, unfortunately not. This film is a disappointing effort from a director who's shown he can do better.

check_circlePros

  • Josh Hartnett delivers a solid performance as the lead character, bringing some much-needed depth to the film.
  • The film's visuals are well-done, with some impressive cinematography that adds to the movie's tension.
  • The score is catchy and adds to the movie's tension, but it's not enough to make up for the plot's shortcomings.
  • The cast has good chemistry, especially between Josh Hartnett and his co-star, but it's not enough to save the movie.
  • The film's themes of family and loyalty are well-explored, but they're not enough to make up for the plot's predictability.
  • The movie's pacing is well-balanced, with a good mix of action and drama, but it's not enough to keep you engaged throughout.

cancelCons

  • The plot is predictable and lacks any real surprises, making it hard to care about the characters or the outcome.
  • The characters feel underdeveloped and lack depth, making it hard to become invested in their stories.
  • The story tries to balance too many different elements and fails to deliver, resulting in a disjointed and confusing narrative.
  • The film's tone is inconsistent, veering wildly from drama to action, which can be jarring and confusing.
  • The serial killer plot feels like a rehash of previous M. Night Shyamalan films, which is disappointing given his reputation for originality.
  • The movie's climax is disappointing and feels rushed, which is a letdown after a promising start.

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