Trap: Concert Tension with Gaps in the Plan

Trap places a dangerous secret within the apparently public pleasure of a pop concert. M. Night Shyamalan uses the setting to combine a criminal's private and public identities, producing an original thriller premise with sustained pressure rather than dependence on one final surprise.

Josh Hartnett gives Cooper a remarkable double presence. The caring father and cold-blooded killer are both convincing, with small details revealing the conflict beneath an outwardly normal appearance. The performance is one of the film's major strengths.

Saleka Shyamalan's Lady Raven and the musical performances contribute strongly to the atmosphere. The songs fit the events and add a distinctive layer that separates the film from more familiar enclosed-space thrillers.

The camera makes the concert feel broad and constricting at the same time. That tension between available space and limited escape works well. There is occasionally too much attention to screens instead of the performers on stage, weakening some of the live atmosphere.

The plotting has gaps, and events can become confusing. The premise and performances are stronger than the logic connecting every development. Those weaknesses prevent the film from fully delivering on its initial promise.

Still, Trap is a worthwhile, tense thriller, particularly for viewers interested in Shyamalan or Hartnett. I count myself among that audience. Its unusual setting, music and character study offer enough entertainment to outweigh the uneven mechanics.