Horror master M. Night Shyamalan is coming up with another movie, Trap, starring Oppenheimer actor Josh Hartnett as a serial killer. Shyamalan, who is known for his signature trait of building tension and suspense in his movies, revealed the source of inspiration for his upcoming thriller.
Tony Basgallop’s Apple TV+ show, Servant, scribed by Shyamalan’s daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan alongside Nina Braddock and Basgallop has been a source of inspiration for Trap. Servant starring Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, has enjoyed huge critical accolades and even earned praise from acclaimed director, Guillermo del Toro.
M. Night Shyamalan Reveals Trap Inspiration
M. Night Shyamalan is not in disagreement about the fact that he derived the inspiration for Trap from the Apple TV+ show Servant. Shyamalan directed 5 of 40 episodes of the show including the pilot, while his daughter, Ishana Night Shyamalan directed 6 episodes. The director admitted that some elements of inspiration were quite inherent. But the movie is distinguished from the show.
“Working in 30-minute sequences was such a beautiful training ground too. a movie has four of them. How can you make four beautiful sequences? Can we do one that’s just the entire movie? When you see Trap, you see the direct influence of that. It’s funny that, as we’re talking about it, I can now see it. I was just saying that I don’t know why the writing of Trap was so different, and it might’ve been because of Servant. It’s one sequence, and that was probably from [TV experience],” Shyamalan told ScreenRant.
Trap, under the banner of Warner Bros., stars Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Marnie McPhail. The movie follows a father and teen daughter attending a pop concert. Soon, they realize they’re in the midst of a dark and sinister event. The movie is quite promising, considering the track record of the director when he takes on the horror genre. With the inspiration from his own show, the movie could deliver an astonishing horror spectacle for the moviegoers.
Guillermo del Toro Is A Huge Fan Of Servant
Guillermo del Toro has been one of the most important filmmakers of the generation. With his mastery of the blend of fantasy and horror in a thrilling tale, the director has made several mind-bending and acclaimed movies, including Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water. The director previously revealed that he has watched Rupert Grint’s Servant and thoroughly enjoyed the essence of the show.
“I enjoyed SERVANT completely. Late to the party, but- this is a beautifully crafted, elegant show. Ruper Gint almost steals it, for me- as does the surgical staging and camera work in the M Night Shyamalan episodes. At times it feels like a European / British slow-burn show but that, to me, is a plus. It is surreal, iconoclastic and insidiously creepy in many small ways that may try the patience of some but felt entirely rewarding to me. The cast is there to deliver high-wire acts and the show has the frisson of quiet, literary horror,” del Toro wrote in a post on X.
He went on to add that he was fascinated by the show. “Open symbolism, surreal dread and very, very grounded performances crown top technical and narrative efforts,” he continued.
“Perfect for a rainy afternoon if you are predisposed to ghost stories that deal with grief, guilt, melancholy and the unrewarding, remote nature of modern life.”
The Apple TV+ psychological horror thriller is extended over four seasons, averaging 90 percent Rotten Tomatoes score to complement its prowess.
Servant is now streaming on Apple TV+. Trap is scheduled for 2 August 2024 release.
Check out the Trap trailer below.
