
Summer 2024 was a big one for the Shyamalan family! M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter, Ishana Shyamalan, made her directorial debut with The Watchers, and M. Night himself returned with a brand-new thriller, Trap.
For more than 25 years, Shyamalan had been one of the biggest names in horror and thrillers, known for his shocking twists in movies like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, The Village, and Split. His stories always kept audiences guessing, and Trap was no different.
So, what was this movie about, and what surprises did Shyamalan have in store this time? Here’s everything you needed to know about Trap!
All the Inside Scoop on Trap!

Trap was released in the US by Warner Bros. Pictures on August 2, 2024. In the UK, it hit cinemas a week later, on August 9. The official plot of Trap keeps things vague:
A father and daughter attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event.
In Trap‘s trailer, Josh Hartnett‘s character and his daughter, Jody, are at a pop concert for Lady Raven. While in the bathroom, Hartnett notices a large police presence and soon learns they are there to catch a serial killer. The big twist is revealed: Hartnett is the killer they’re hunting. His phone shows he’s holding a victim hostage. The trailer ends with him laughing maniacally to himself, adding an eerie tone and hinting at the chaos to come.
Is Trap Based on a True Story?
Yes, Trap is inspired by a real-life event. The film is based on Operation Flagship, one of the most successful sting operations in U.S. history.
In December 1985, the U.S. Marshals Service orchestrated an elaborate scheme to capture fugitives with outstanding warrants. They sent over 3,000 invitations to individuals in Washington, D.C., claiming they had won free tickets to an NFL game between the Washington Redskins and the Cincinnati Bengals. The event, presented under the fake name Flagship International Sports TV, promised additional prizes, including season tickets and an all-expenses-paid trip to Super Bowl XX.
On December 15, 101 fugitives arrived at the Washington Convention Center, unaware that more than 150 undercover officers were disguised as cheerleaders, caterers, and event staff. The operation was carefully staged to prevent chaos, with fugitives being taken into a separate room in small groups. The chief of enforcement operations, Louie McKinney, played the event’s host and gave a signal for the Special Operations Group to make their move. At his cue, officers entered the room with weapons drawn, leading to the arrest of 101 individuals on-site and a total of 144 arrests from the operation.
This real-life event serves as the inspiration for Trap, blending facts with M. Night Shyamalan’s signature storytelling style.
Meet The Star-Studded Cast of Trap (2024)

The cast of Trap (2024) brings together a powerhouse of talent, each delivering unforgettable performances in this thriller!
Actor | Character | Role Description |
---|---|---|
Josh Hartnett | Cooper Adams | A serial killer in disguise caught in a cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement while taking his daughter to a pop concert. |
Ariel Donoghue | Riley Adams | Cooper’s daughter, who is unknowingly drawn into the dangerous situation while attending the concert with her father. |
Saleka Shyamalan | Lady Raven | A pop singer and the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, playing a fictionalized version of herself in her acting debut. |
Hayley Mills | Dr. Josephine Grant | An FBI profiler running the operation to capture Cooper Adams, balancing expertise with the tension of the situation. |
Alison Pill | Rachel Adams | Cooper’s wife and Riley’s mother, trying to protect her family as they are caught up in the dangerous events surrounding her husband. |
Kid Cudi | The Thinker | A mysterious character whose role in the events of the story is pivotal and adds an air of intrigue to the plot. |
Russ | Parker Reign | A character played by rapper Russ in his acting debut, adding to the suspense of the film. |
Lochland Miller | Logan Adams | Cooper’s young son, portrayed with vulnerability as he gets caught up in the chaos created by his father. |
Marnie McPhail | Jody’s Mom | A character linked to the events surrounding Cooper and his family, adding emotional depth to the story. |
Jonathan Langdon | Jamie | A venue employee at the concert who becomes involved in the unfolding events, contributing to the suspense. |
Vanessa Smythe | Tour Manager | The concert’s tour manager, caught in the chaos of the event while the tension rises. |
Hailey Summer | The Thinker’s Assistant | Works alongside The Thinker, adding to the mystery of the character and the intrigue surrounding the plot. |
M. Night Shyamalan | Lady Raven’s Uncle | Makes a cameo appearance as Lady Raven’s uncle, adding a familiar touch for fans of his previous works. |
Trap: Breaking Down the Shocking Ending of M. Night Shyamalan’s Latest

Cooper Abbott (Josh Hartnett) takes his daughter, Riley, to a concert where an FBI operation traps the infamous serial killer, The Butcher, inside the venue. Unknown to everyone, Cooper is the killer, and he is trying to escape while keeping Riley and pop star Lady Raven (Saleka Night Shyamalan) hostage. He manipulates Raven into helping him and Riley bypass security, and they return to his home, where Cooper’s wife, Rachel (Alison Pill), may have already suspected his secret. Raven uses Cooper’s phone to send out a distress message, leading to a police rescue.
In the final act, Cooper is captured after Rachel tricks him with a drugged pie, and the FBI profiler, Josephine Grant (Hayley Mills), reveals she had been impersonating Cooper’s mother to trap him. As he is about to be taken away by the authorities, Cooper escapes once again, picking the lock on his handcuffs with a bike spoke. The film ends ambiguously, leaving the audience wondering if Cooper will be caught or escape again. A mid-credits scene shows the vendor who helped Cooper realizing his mistake. He vows to never speak to anyone again, adding a lighthearted touch to the dark thriller.
What Does the Critics Review About Trap?
Trap earned a 5.9/10 IMDb rating based on the audience feedback of around 12k viewers. As per the critics on Rotten Tomatoes:
While Shyamalan has an eye for a Hitchcockian “aha” moment and a great sense of suspense, he stretches willing suspension of disbelief just a little too far, making Trap more of an acting showcase than a thriller masterclass.
According to the review from The Guardian, Trap (2024) has an interesting story and some exciting moments. Josh Hartnett plays a great role, and the film has fun surprises, like Hayley Mills leading the FBI. It may not always be perfect, but it’s still an enjoyable thriller with enough twists to keep you watching.
Is the Movie Trap a Hit or Flop?

Trap may not have been a massive blockbuster, but it still found success at the box office. Despite a slow start, the film gained momentum thanks to a surge in social media buzz, pushing its global earnings to $80 million.
With a production budget of $30 million, Trap turned a profit and outperformed some of M. Night Shyamalan’s lower-grossing films. While it may not have reached the heights of Split or The Visit, it proved that Shyamalan’s unique storytelling still captivates audiences.
Where to Watch Trap 2024 Movie?
You can stream Trap on Max and Max Amazon Channel, offering a seamless viewing experience with high-quality content and global accessibility. Subscription rates for Max are:
Plan | Monthly Price | Yearly Price (16% Savings) |
---|---|---|
With Ads | $9.99 | $99.99 |
Ad-Free | $16.99 | $169.99 |
Max boasts an extensive library of shows, ensuring a diverse range of entertainment options for subscribers, such as The Boy And The Heron, Rick and Morty: The Anime on Adult Swim, Gremlins 2024, The Penguin Season 1, We’re Here Season 4, Ghosts Season 4, New York Giants Hard Knocks, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes (2024)’ and Jujutsu Kaisen’s Action, Chasing Flavor Season 1.
FAQs
Trap’s ending ultimately gave a fun twist. Cooper’s wife, Rachel, was the one who planted evidence that he’d be at the Lady Raven concert.
The performances from both [Josh Hartnett and Alison Pill] are just stellar – so much tension and emotional stakes.
He’s also the serial killer known as “The Butcher.”
Cooper does escape, making the unlikely decision to come clean to the pop star. He essentially commandeers her limo afterward.
No, “Trap” is not considered a comedy; it is categorized as a psychological thriller film.
Trap is labelled as a horror film, though it is more akin to a thriller or crime drama.
Bottom Line!
Despite its slow start, Trap carved out a place for itself, finding success with the right audience. It may not be one of Shyamalan’s biggest hits, but it showcases his signature storytelling and ability to keep viewers guessing. The film has sparked discussions, adding an intriguing chapter to Shyamalan’s career. Fans are now left eagerly awaiting what he’ll do next.