M. Night Shyamalan, who is known for his twisted plots and unique storytelling, is back in the filmmaking business with another intriguing project- Trap, starring Josh Hartnett in the leading role. The movie revolves around a father (Hartnett) who takes his teenage daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to a pop concert, with no idea of what awaits them.
While the movie is centered around the father-daughter bond, the film director recently revealed how his anxieties about parenthood inspired that aspect in his new project.
M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap Reflects on His Parenthood Anxieties
In an interview with ScreenRant during Warner Bros.’ Summer of Shyamalan event, he shared his insights on the new project, delving into how the father-daughter dynamics in Trap is a reflection of his own bond with his children.
Being the father of three daughters, M. Night Shyamalan shares how a father always wants his children to be proud of him but feels insecure when his mistakes emerge in front of them.
He shared,
“The father-daughter thing is just part of who I am. I’m a girl dad with three girls, and it’s just the way I see things. I see the world through their eyes. My fear of the world is for them; protecting them or overprotecting them, and then wanting them to look up to me and be proud of the things that I say and do. When I don’t do well, or I don’t do something right, I feel bad. Trap is all those fears and things like that onscreen.”
He has tried his best to unravel his own anxieties on-screen with the help of Josh Hartnett’s character, a serial killer and father who takes his daughter to attend a pop concert of Lady Raven (played by Shyamalan’s eldest daughter, Saleka Shyamalan).
However, things start getting eerie when he finds out that the whole concert is a trap set by the police to capture him. In the new trailer released, a concession worker refers to the serial killer as The Butcher, as he “goes around just chopping people up.”
The trailer is surely giving off several hints to viewers to get the gist of what’s going to happen. It is yet to be seen how the whole situation unfolds, given that a lot is yet to be explored. While the filmmaker has put in his fatherly emotions in his project, it is Josh Hartnett, who brings out the charm on-screen.
Josh Hartnett Returns With Trap After Oppenheimer‘s Success
The 45-year-old actor made a grand name for himself thanks to his work in a variety of roles in projects like Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, and 40 Days and 40 Nights.
Given that he was enjoying the heights of stardom, he suddenly took a step back from the glamorous world to pursue artier projects. Although he never stopped acting, his versatile artistic skills required a much-needed comeback which he eventually received with the mega success of Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan’s directorial starred an ensemble cast including Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, and Matt Damon among others.
Hartnett captivated audiences’ attention with his subtle portrayal of Ernest Lawrence. He is back with another complex character in Trap, which also stars Ariel Donoghue, Hayley Mills, and Allison Pill.
Trap will be released in movie theaters on August 9, 2024.
