"Trap" by M. Night Shyamalan Faces Harsh Criticism: What Went Wrong? - Fama

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M. Night Shyamalan’s latest movie, "Trap," has been met with sharp criticism following its theatrical release. Many reviewers believe the film failed to meet the expectations of audiences eagerly awaiting the celebrated director’s newest work.

On Rotten Tomatoes, "Trap" has garnered a critical score of just 54% based on 153 reviews as of August 9, 2024, placing it in the "rotten" category. Despite this, the film received a slightly better audience score of 65%, based on over 1,000 ratings. This disparity highlights a division between critics and general moviegoers, though neither group has overwhelmingly praised the film.

"Trap" is the latest addition to a series of underwhelming releases from Shyamalan. Films like "Old" (2021) with a 50% score, "Glass" (2019) at 37%, and "The Last Airbender" with a dismal 5%, show a troubling trend for the director. 

Critics such as Owen Gleiberman of Variety argue that "Trap" fails to deliver a coherent and satisfying narrative, echoing the shortcomings of Shyamalan’s recent works. Similarly, Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times critiqued the film’s packaging, stating it has an intriguing premise but falls short due to a weak story.

Photo: Universal Studios

A significant portion of the disappointment stems from the film's failure to deliver Shyamalan's signature plot twist. Adam Graham notes that "Trap" loses its way early on and fails to provide the unexpected turns that have come to define Shyamalan’s style. Thomas Floyd of the Washington Post suggests that the film might be more enjoyable if viewed with lowered expectations, highlighting the gap between what fans hoped for and what was ultimately delivered.

Despite the overall negative reception, some critics found redeeming qualities in the film, particularly in Josh Hartnett’s portrayal of Cooper Adams. Critics like Lindsey Bahr from the Associated Press and Max Weiss from Baltimore Magazine praised Hartnett’s performance. 

However, even these positive notes come with the caveat that Hartnett's efforts were not enough to save the film from its broader flaws. Bahr described "Trap" as more of a popcorn flick rather than a twist-heavy thriller, a departure from Shyamalan’s previous work.

"Trap" follows Shyamalan’s previous films, "Glass" (2019), "Old" (2021), and "Knock at the Cabin" (2023). The movie features a cast that includes Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Night Shyamalan, Alison Pill, Hayley Mills, and Jonathan Langdon. It was released in theaters on August 7, 2024.

While "Trap" may have attracted initial interest due to Shyamalan's reputation, it appears to have stumbled in delivering the engaging and surprising storylines that fans have come to expect. With its critical reception largely negative, the film joins the ranks of Shyamalan's less successful projects, despite a few bright spots in the performances. As the director continues to experiment with new ideas, only time will tell if he can reclaim the magic that once made his name synonymous with thrilling cinematic experiences.