M. Night Shyamalan’s latest mystery thriller, Trap, has received early reactions from critics ahead of its theatrical release. The film marks the return of Shyamalan to the director’s chair, one year after helming Knock at the Cabin. While audiences eagerly await for the 2024 movie to premiere, Trap has already managed to rake in positive reviews from an early screening.
Early reactions to Trap (2024) praise Josh Hartnett
M. Night Shyamalan’s latest directorial feature has mostly earned favorable reactions, with most reviewers praising Josh Hartnett’s performance.
Trap (2024) showcases Hartnett in a villainous role, where he portrays a serial killer who attends a concert with his daughter. Dubbed “The Butcher,” he soon realizes that the music festival is actually a ploy by the police to catch him. Physical Media has labeled Trap to be an “absolute banger” while also providing affirmative reactions to Shyamalan and Hartnett’s contributions.
Meanwhile, Screen Rant’s Joseph Deckelmeier highlighted the director’s expertise in building suspense. He also termed Josh Hartnett’s acting as captivating and praised his ability to “bring humanity to a dark character.”
The Hollywood Handle‘s Chris Gallardo also rated Trap highly, describing it as a return to form for M. Night Shyamalan. Gallardo commended the seamless way in which an ominous atmosphere was constructed in the film. He, too, doubled down on Hartnett’s masterful portrayal of a serial killer and complimented his dual performance as Cooper and “The Butcher.”
Shyamalan is no stranger to both critical acclaim and lambasting, but Trap’s strong early reactions seem to build on his legacy in the horror-thriller genre. The director’s titles have already collected in excess of $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office, as per The Direct.
Despite the positive reactions, the commercial success of Trap will only be determined following its theatrical release. The movie will hit the big screens on August 2, 2024.
