Warner Bros. has unveiled the trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s latest mystery thriller, “Trap,” featuring Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Marnie McPhail. The film’s official logline describes “Trap” as a story about a father and his teenage daughter attending a pop concert, only to find themselves at the heart of a dark and sinister event. The first look at the film was showcased at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
In the trailer, Hartnett’s character and his daughter, Jody, are seen at a concert for pop star Lady Raven. When Hartnett’s character steps away to the bathroom, he notices a significant police presence at the venue. He quickly discovers that the police are there to apprehend a serial killer. The twist? Hartnett’s character is the very killer they are hunting, and his phone reveals that he is holding a victim hostage. The trailer concludes with Hartnett laughing maniacally to himself.
The “Trap” trailer was also teased at an event in Los Angeles called “The Summer of Shyamalan,” where the filmmaker discussed not only “Trap” but also “The Watchers,” a film he produced and directed by his daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan. The pop star in “Trap” is portrayed by Shyamalan’s other daughter, Saleka, a singer-songwriter who also contributed several songs to the film. Shyamalan mentioned that part of the allure of making “Trap” was the idea of narrating the story from the perspective of an unexpected character—in this case, Hartnett’s killer. He noted that this approach led to a dark humor angle similar to that in “Servant,” “The Visit,” and “Split.” Shyamalan emphasized his enjoyment of blending terror with humor, ensuring a fun experience for the audience.
Shyamalan also discussed casting Josh Hartnett, who has recently returned to acting with roles in “Black Mirror” and “Oppenheimer.” Shyamalan highlighted his preference for working outside Hollywood conventions, making films in a “small, reasonable” way. He praised Hartnett for his willingness to fully commit to the role, describing it as a perfect match of the right actor at the right time. Shyamalan expressed his delight in working with Hartnett, calling it a wonderful experience.
“Trap” is set to hit theaters on August 9. The trailer has already generated significant buzz, with fans eagerly anticipating the film’s release.
In addition to the trailer, Warner Bros. released the song “Release” by Saleka as Lady Raven, available at www.ladyravenmusic.com. “Trap” marks Shyamalan’s first film to be released by Warner Bros. since his move from Universal, announced in August 2023. Shyamalan expressed his excitement about the move, stating that Warner Bros. has a storied history of cinema and a renewed appreciation for filmmakers and the theatrical experience.
The film follows a father and his teenage daughter attending a pop concert, only to realize they are at the center of a dark and sinister event. The trailer reveals that Hartnett’s character is a serial killer known as “The Butcher,” who is holding a victim hostage and must now find a way to escape the concert venue.
Shyamalan’s move to Warner Bros. was driven by his belief in the importance of the theatrical experience. He praised Warner Bros. executives David Zaslav, Michael De Luca, and Pam Abdy for their dedication to unique filmmakers and their commitment to filling theaters worldwide.
“Trap” is Shyamalan’s first film to hit theaters since his move from Universal to Warner Bros. The film is set to be released on August 9, 2024, and fans are eagerly awaiting its arrival.
The trailer for “Trap” has already sparked various theories and speculations among fans. One intriguing theory suggests that “Trap” could be a secret sequel to Shyamalan’s classic film “The Sixth Sense,” similar to how “Split” was a secret sequel to “Unbreakable.” The theory posits that Cole Sear, the character from “The Sixth Sense” who sees ghosts, might be assisting law enforcement in tracking down serial killers by communicating with their victims’ spirits.
While it remains to be seen if this theory holds any truth, it has certainly added to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the film. Fans are eager to see how Shyamalan will use the unique concert setting to create tension and suspense, and whether there will be any additional twists in the story.
“Trap” promises to be a thrilling and suspenseful film, with a compelling storyline and a talented cast. As the release date approaches, fans will undoubtedly continue to speculate and theorize about the film’s plot and potential twists. One thing is certain: “Trap” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year.
Source: Variety, Deadline, CinemaBlend, Tom’s Guide
