Trap: M. Night Shyamalan Reveals Why Thriller’s Killer is Revealed Immediately

As a seasoned fan of M. Night Shyamalan‘s twisted tales and unexpected twists, I can confidently say that his latest thriller, “Trap,” promises to be another nail-biting addition to his oeuvre. The unique premise of a serial killer being the protagonist, albeit a troubled one, is not only intriguing but also a testament to Shyamalan’s knack for challenging conventional storytelling.


In this weekend, M. Night Shyamalan delivers his chilling new thriller set within the confines of a bustling concert venue instead of isolated locations like ‘Knock at the Cabin’ or ‘Split’. The movie ‘Trap’ revolves around Cooper (Josh Hartnett from ‘Oppenheimer’) and his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue in ‘Wolf Like Me’), who are attending a concert of fictional pop star Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan making her feature film debut). As hinted in the trailers, it’s revealed that this seemingly ordinary concert is actually a covert operation to capture Cooper, a notorious serial killer infamously known as “The Butcher.”

M. Night Shyamalan Details Trap’s Killer Reveal Decision

Unlike most killer thrillers, audiences enter Trap knowing who the murderer is from the jump.

In an interview with ComicBook, director M. Night Shyamalan explained why they chose to disclose The Butcher’s identity in promotional materials for the movie. He mentioned that the storyline of the film was designed with Cooper’s real intentions being clear from the beginning.

In my opinion, what truly captivated me about the movie “Trap” was the fact that I found myself in his shoes, identifying with its central character. It was this unique perspective that intrigued me and inspired me to be a part of it. After all, there are countless tales of serial killers out there, but presenting it from the viewpoint of the perpetrator, offering a glimpse into a day when he might finally be caught, was something fresh and compelling.

In contemporary Hollywood, it’s not uncommon to see stories about serial killers told from the killer’s perspective, which was less frequent in the past. Similarly, comic book universes like DC and Marvel have been exploring the narrative from the villain’s viewpoint. For instance, DC has featured supervillains such as The Suicide Squad and Joker in their individual movies, while Marvel has developed Tom Hiddleston’s Loki character into a separate series, portraying him more as an anti-hero over two seasons.

In regards to Cooper, Shyamalan considered the central character in “Trap” to be the film’s hero, despite the fact that his actions lean towards being more antagonistic in nature.

As a captivated audience member, I find myself intrigued by Shyamalan’s unique storytelling. In his words, “The villain is the protagonist,” meaning he plays both roles – the one we root against and the one we can’t help but root for. It’s a fascinating twist that leaves me questioning my allegiances, asking myself, ‘Am I really on this side?’ Even though we know deep down this character isn’t good, there’s an irresistible allure to watching him outwit the situation. Truly, it’s an exhilarating experience!

Trap hits theaters this Friday, August 2nd.

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2024-08-01 23:40