M. Night Shyamalan is an incredible director whose contributions to the thriller genre are legendary, but one of his latest films, Trap

, has gotten an unfair representation. Shyamalan is a legend whose films like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable have become widely celebrated and adored by a sizable audience. And while these films and others in Shyamalan’s repertoire have earned him many loyal fans, there are plenty of critics who believe his best work is behind him.

The truth is, Shyamalan does one type of film very well, and while he has become known as the director who throws in big twist after big twist, the way these are implemented is often satisfying and works well for the story. However, it is also true that the last decade has been less kind to Shyamalan in terms of his critical reception, except for a rare few films like Split. But a 2024 film deserves more praise than it got.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap Is Now Available On Netflix – What The Movie Is About

Trap Is A Thrilling Twisty Tale With A Dark Secret

Trap is a movie starring Josh Hartnett, which sees the main character attend a concert with his pre-teen daughter. While there, Cooper (Hartnett) learns that a serial killer is also supposed to be in attendance at the concert, which leads to intense security surrounding the event. The issue is, Cooper is the serial killer, and he currently has a victim tied up in a safe house. From early on in the story, Cooper is trying to find ways to get out of the event, while also keeping his secret from his daughter, and it leads to some unlikely situations.

The film is full of Shyamalan’s signature twists, with strong central characters, and a plot that is gripping. It also builds tension in a satisfying way, as Cooper tries to outsmart law enforcement, and ensure his daughter enjoys the concert of her favorite musical artist. But despite a clever and innovative plot, the movie was slammed in the reviews in a significant way.

Trap Is Better Than Its 57% Rotten Tomatoes Score Suggests

Trap Is Worth Watching, Despite The Negative Reviews

Trap follows a trend with Shyamalan movies, with the film being divisive among audiences, but the score from critics was particularly low at just 57%. The central issue of the movie is likely down to not just the fact that it plays into the twists, but perhaps how many twists there are. A great twisty movie often has one mᴀssive twist that tends to become apparent near the end of the movie. But for Trap, it builds tension, only to reveal a twist, and then more twists on top of that.

This may prove tiresome for some audiences, but the way that these twists are incorporated in Trap’s story is satisfying, and it all makes sense. The movie does not apologize for leaning into the central premise, and it ensures that the quality is there to back it up. On top of that, the acting by Hartnett compliments the narrative in a very satisfying way. Now that Trap is available to stream on Netflix, hopefully it can get some of the recognition and praise that it deserves.