Trap (2024):" It's a TRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP"

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, Alison Pill
Producers: M. Night Shyamalan, Marc Bienstock, Ashwin Rajan
Production House: Blinding Edge Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures
Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
Music: Saleka Shyamalan (songs), Herdís Stefánsdóttir (score)
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Screenplay: M. Night Shyamalan
Editor: Luke Franco Ciarrocchi
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Language: English
Release Date: 2024-08-02
Runtime: 1h 45m

Plot:
A father, Cooper Adams, and his teenage daughter, Riley, attend a pop concert headlined by Lady Raven. Unbeknownst to Riley, Cooper is a serial killer trying to evade a police blockade set around the concert venue. As the night unfolds, the concert turns into a tense and sinister event, leaving the audience and the characters caught in a deadly trap.

Performances:

• Josh Hartnett: Has done exceptionally well. He captures the tense feeling of fear and thrill very effectively.
• Ariel Donoghue: She lived the role perfectly, portraying a fangirl crazy for her idol. She nailed her performance, making it seem as if her idol was right in front of her.
• Saleka Shyamalan: She has done a good job and delivered a notable role in the movie.
• Alison Pill: She acted brilliantly. Though her screen time is limited, she made a significant impact with her performance.
• Other Supporting Cast: They did very well, supporting the main characters and creating some laughable scenes that were nicely executed.

Technical Aspects:

• Direction: M. Night Shyamalan came up with a script that has a good concept but couldn't deliver a wholesome output. The film has pacing issues and plot armours that detract from the thrills and chills it aims to provide.
• Cinematography: Very good, with perfect framing and a few rotational and movement shots that are absolutely commendable.
• Music: The songs are good, but the background score could have been better to create a thrilling atmosphere.
• Production Values: Solid production values, with the concert hall set and other elements fitting well with the movie's theme.

Strengths:

• Performances
• Cinematography
• Twist

Weaknesses:

• Plot armours
• Music
• Pace
• Careless scenes

My Personal Take on Cinema:
"Trap" is a movie that doesn't provide an overall thrilling experience despite having a good concept and strong performances. The film suffers from pacing issues and several careless scenes. Shyamalan's direction shows potential, but the execution is lacking. The cinematography stands out, with perfect lighting and mood. The music could have been better to enhance the thrilling feel. Hartnett and Donoghue deliver their best performances, but ultimately, the film's pacing and careless scenes are its downfall.

Rating: 2.5/5