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Trap (2024 film)

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Trap
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. Night Shyamalan
Written byM. Night Shyamalan
Produced by
  • Ashwin Rajan
  • Marc Bienstock
  • M. Night Shyamalan
Starring
CinematographySayombhu Mukdeeprom
Edited byNoëmi Preiswerk
Music byHerdís Stefánsdóttir
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • July 24, 2024 (2024-07-24) (Alice Tully Hall)
  • August 2, 2024 (2024-08-02) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Trap is a 2024 American psychological thriller film written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Alison Pill. Its plot follows a serial killer evading a large presence of police officers while attending a pop music star's concert with his daughter. The film premiered in New York City on July 24, 2024, and is scheduled to be released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on August 2.

Premise

Cooper, a serial killer dubbed "The Butcher", joins his teenage daughter Riley at a concert for pop star Lady Raven, an event he learns is a trap set by police to catch him.[2]

Cast

Production

Development

In October 2022, Universal Pictures announced its plan to distribute in 2024 a then-untitled film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.[3] In February 2023, the title was revealed as Shyamalan and his production company Blinding Edge Pictures entered a first-look deal with competing studio Warner Bros. Pictures.[4] The film sprouted from conversations Shyamalan had with his daughter, singer-songwriter Saleka, about combining the concert and theatrical experience and devising an album for a narrative.[5][6] The premise was inspired in part by Operation Flagship, a sting operation in which disguised law enforcement arrested 101 wanted fugitives at a convention center, having invited them under the pretence of gifting them free NFL tickets.[7] Shyamalan pitched the film as setting The Silence of the Lambs (1991) at a Taylor Swift concert, in reference to her Eras Tour, produced it with Marc Bienstock and Ashwin Rajan, and said the screenplay was the fastest he ever wrote at five-and-a-half months.[7][8][9] Actor Josh Hartnett did not watch any media in preparation for the lead role to make the character his own.[10]

Filming

The film was shot at FirstOntario Centre.

As with his other projects, Shyamalan and a storyboard artist storyboarded the film. Shyamalan originally intended to frame the film in a 4:3 aspect ratio, but after a discussion with cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, they agreed it limited their ability to shoot the movie and was "too much work" to create a feeling of claustrophobia. They changed it to a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and the film was re-storyboarded.[11] Principal photography was scheduled to begin in Cincinnati, Ohio, in August 2023, where it would have received over $9 million in tax credits from the state to film there.[12][13] Production relocated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and was granted an interim agreement on September 18, 2023, to film during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[14][15][16] Under the working title Good Grades, filming reportedly occurred from October 16 to December 8, 2023.[14][17] The film's pop concert venue, known as "Tanaka Arena", was filmed in Hamilton, Ontario, inside FirstOntario Centre, a 20,000-seat arena that the production obtained access to for two to three months because it was undergoing renovations.[18][19] Cora Kozaris was the choreographer for the songs performed on stage,[20] and the Rogers Centre in Toronto stood in as the venue's exterior.[21] Songs in the film were performed as if it were a real concert, with a videographer recording onstage material and projecting it onto the stadium's screens in real-time.[22] Trap was shot on 35mm film stock, a rarity for Shyamalan due to financial reasons. As a result, the crew had to wait three days for dailies to be processed in a film laboratory in Los Angeles and returned to review their footage.[11]

Music

Shyamalan's daughter, Saleka, stars as singer Lady Raven, whose concert the characters attend. As her father was writing the script, she composed fourteen songs for the film, designed diegetically to match the action onscreen.[23] Saleka previously collaborated with her father by making a single for the film Old (2021) and an EP for the series Servant.[20][24][22] Shyamalan was inspired to incorporate musical elements by Prince's musical film Purple Rain (1984) and visiting Saleka on tour.[25][26] Saleka also noted Bollywood cinema, in which music often plays a key role in the storytelling, as an influence. She described Trap as a "Shyamalan American version of a Bollywood movie that is grounded and the songs make sense — not necessarily a musical, but completely music-centric."[20] Trap was released the same year as The Watchers, the directorial debut of Saleka's sister, Ishana Night Shyamalan; a poster for The Watchers appears in the background of a scene in Trap. Saleka and Ishana Shyamalan worked on their respective films on their family's property in Pennsylvania; Saleka operated in a recording studio while Ishana mixed her film next door.[27] Columbia Records will release the soundtrack album, "Lady Raven", which features appearances by Kid Cudi (who stars in the film), Russ, and Amaarae.[20][28] Herdís Stefánsdóttir composed the score independently from Saleka.[29] Editing and mixing were completed on June 22, 2024.[30]

Release

Trap is scheduled to be released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on August 2, 2024. It is the second film of Shyamalan's to be distributed by the studio after Lady in the Water (2006), and marks the filmmaker's departure from Universal Pictures, which distributed five consecutive films of his, starting with The Visit in 2015.[31] Universal initially scheduled the film's release for April 5, 2024.[3] In 2023, Warner Bros. acquired and pushed the film to August 2, 2024.[32] In 2024, they postponed it to August 9,[33] and later brought it forward a week to August 2 again.[31]

The film premiered at Alice Tully Hall[citation needed] in New York City on July 24, 2024.[34] It did not screen for critics before its theatrical release.[35]

Reception

Box office projections

In the United States and Canada, Trap is scheduled to be released alongside Harold and the Purple Crayon and is projected to earn $15–25 million in its opening weekend.[35][36][37]

References

  1. ^ "Trap (15)". BBFC. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  2. ^ Dunn, Jack; Riley, Jenelle (April 18, 2024). "Trap Trailer: M. Night Shyamalan's New Thriller Casts Josh Hartnett as a Serial Killer at a Pop Star's Concert". Variety. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 7, 2022). "New M. Night Shyamalan Thriller Dated By Universal For 2024". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Couch, Aaron (February 16, 2023). "M. Night Shyamalan Departs Universal for Warner Bros. First-Look Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Philbrick, Jami (July 29, 2024). "Director M. Night Shyamalan Talks Trap and Working with Josh Hartnett". Moviefone. Archived from the original on July 29, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Perez, Rodrigo (July 31, 2024). "The Trap: M. Night Shyamalan Talks Empathy Shifts, Catching Josh Hartnett's 'Moment,' Potential Sequels & More [Interview]". The Playlist. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Travis, Ben (July 1, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan Pitched Trap As 'Silence Of The Lambs At A Taylor Swift Concert' – Exclusive Image". Empire. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Complex, Valerie; Grober, Matt (April 18, 2024). "Trap Trailer: Josh Hartnett Gets Cornered At A Concert In M. Night Shyamalan Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  9. ^ Shyamalan, M. Night [@MNightShyamalan] (July 16, 2024). "Fun fact: TRAP was the fastest script I have ever written. 5.5 months. SIGNS was the fastest before it. 6 months" (Tweet). Retrieved July 30, 2024 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (July 31, 2024). "Josh Hartnett on Playing a Serial Killer in Trap and the Legacy of Trip Fontaine in The Virgin Suicides". IndieWire. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Newman, Nick (July 29, 2024). "For M. Night Shyamalan, Trap Might Be His A Man Escaped". IndieWire. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  12. ^ "State of Ohio Awards $36 Million in Motion Picture Tax Credits". Ohio Department of Development. July 31, 2023. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  13. ^ Rajput, Priyanca (September 5, 2023). "Ishana Shyamalan's debut feature The Watchers wraps in Dublin". KFTV.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Josh Hartnett and Saleka to Star in M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Film (Exclusive)". Film Updates. October 26, 2023. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  15. ^ Landau, Jack (April 18, 2024). "Major movie shot largely at Toronto's Rogers Centre described as 'bizarre' by star". blogTO. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  16. ^ "Productions Approved and Signed to Interim Agreements – Members May Work on These" (PDF). SAG-AFTRA. December 3, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  17. ^ "Current Productions - Toronto". Toronto Film and Television Office. August 7, 2017. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Radish, Christina (April 18, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan Promises Wild Surprises for His Josh Hartnett Concert Thriller Trap". Collider. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  19. ^ Lussier, Germain (July 30, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan Talks Trap's Surprising Superhero Inspirations". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d Miller, Liz Shannon (June 7, 2024). "Saleka Explains Her Role as Lady Raven in M. Night Shyamalan's Trap, and Releases First Single". Consequence. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  21. ^ Landau, Jack (April 18, 2024). "A new major movie was just filmed at Blue Jays' Rogers Centre". Daily Hive. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Rankin, Seija (July 31, 2024). "How Did Saleka Shyamalan Land a Lead Role in Trap? (It's Not Just That She Knew the Director)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  23. ^ Ray, Jenelle (April 22, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan and Daughter Ishana Night Tease 'Unease' and 'Suspense' With Dual Thrillers Trap and The Watchers". Variety. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  24. ^ El-Mahmoud, Sarah (April 18, 2024). "I Talked To M. Night Shyamalan About Setting A Horror Movie At A Pop Singer's Show, And As A Frequent Concertgoer, I'm Intrigued". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  25. ^ Taylor, Drew (April 18, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan Explains Why His Trap Trailer Seemingly Gives Away the Film's Twist". TheWrap. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Garner, Glenn (June 8, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan's Daughters Discuss 'Privilege' Of Following Their Own Passions Amid Big Screen Debuts With Dad". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  27. ^ Zuckerman, Esther (June 5, 2024). "The Shyamalans: A Family That Scares Together". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  28. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (July 23, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan's Daughter and Trap Star Saleka Debuts 'Save Me', a New Song From the Film". Variety. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  29. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (July 23, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan's Daughter and Trap Star Saleka Debuts 'Save Me', a New Song From the Film". Variety. Archived from the original on July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  30. ^ Shyamalan, M. Night [@MNightShyamalan] (June 23, 2024). "Finished editing and mixing #Trapmovie yesterday. Such a joyful experience" (Tweet). Retrieved July 30, 2024 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (June 13, 2024). "Warner Bros Pushes Up Release Date For Trap, Dates Four Other Projects". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  32. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 16, 2023). "M. Night Shyamalan Signs Multi-Year First-Look Deal at Warner Bros, Sets Trap At Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  33. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 8, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan's Trap To Spring On New Release Date – CinemaCon". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  34. ^ Speakman, Kimberlee; Flam, Charna (July 25, 2024). "M. Night Shyamalan Says Daughter Saleka Was Treated 'the Same' on Trap Set as Rest of Cast (Exclusive)". People. Archived from the original on July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  35. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 31, 2024). "Deadpool & Wolverine To Best Passion Of The Christ As Highest Grossing U.S. R-Rated Movie Ever; Trap To Lock $15M-$20M; Harold And The Purple Crayon Light – Box Office Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  36. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (July 31, 2024). "Box Office: M. Night Shyamalan's Trap Targets $15 Million Debut, Deadpool & Wolverine to Dominate Again". Variety. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  37. ^ "Weekend Preview: Deadpool & Wolverine Holds to Top Spot as Trap Battles for Second Place". Boxoffice Pro. July 31, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
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