DirectorM. Night Shyamalanis getting ready to release his newest filmTrapthis August, and in a recent interview he revealed the connection it has toTaylor Swift, and the 1991 psychological horror film,The Silence of the Lambs.Trapstars Josh Hartnett as Cooper, a serial killer who takes his daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert, only to find outit’s all a clever ruse orchestrated by authoritiesto catch him. The film also stars Shyamalan’s daughter, Saleka Shyamalan, as Lady Raven,the pop star at the center of the movie.
Speaking withEmpireto promote the upcoming release ofTrap, Shyamalan revealed that he initially pitched the film as“What if Silence of the Lambs happened at a Taylor Swift concert?”The idea grew from there intothe movie audiences will see this coming August, which has already been criticized for revealing its big twistthat Josh Hartnett is a serial killer. However, knowing the director of such classics asThe Sixth Sense,Unbreakable, andSigns, there’s undoubtedlyanother swerve coming that audiences won’t expect.
A man and his teenage daughter realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event while watching a concert.
Trapcontinues M. Night Shyamalan’scommitment to funding his own original ideasthrough his Blinding Edge Pictures production company he started with the release ofUnbreakablein 2000. The 53-year-old writer/director commented that“I really do believe in the original movie,”while at the same time saying he understands the“safety”Hollywood feels in sticking to successful IPs rather than taking a chance on fresh new voices. It’s those original ideas that Shyamalan says he will“keep fighting for.”
“I really dobelieve in the original movie. I want the industry to move towards more original storytelling. I think audiences would really like it. Look,I know there’s safety in IP. But it’s really important that we come to the movies and see something we’ve never seen before.I’ll keep fighting for that.”
Trap Was Inspired by a Real Event That Took Place in 1985
WhileTrapmay see fictionalized killers and pop stars brought to life, the filmwas inspired by a real life eventthat took place in 1985known as Operation Flagship. In an effort to bring in wanted fugitives, the US Marshals, in conjunction with the police in Washington D.C., sent out invites to criminals telling themthey’d won free tickets to a Washington Redskins game, with the chance toalso win tickets to Super Bowl XX.
The sting operationmanaged to capture 101 wanted fugitiveswho showed up to the Washington Convention Center in mid-December 1985, and saw law enforcement officersdress up as ushers, cheerleaders, mascots, and caterers. Shyamalan commented on the operation, calling it“twisted and funny.”
“It was hilarious. The cops were literally cheerleaders and mascots. These guys were dancing as they came in. And they were all caught. It was so twisted and funny.”
THEORY: Is Trap Another Surprise Sequel to One of M. Night Shyamalan’s Biggest Movies?
Like so many other Shyamalan films, the biggest twist of Trap might be yet to come if it serves as a sequel to his biggest film.
While fans might have a hard time scoring ticketsto Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tourwhich began in March 2023 andis currently in its second year, fans of M. Night Shyamalan will find it much easier to nab tickets toTrap, whichhits theaters on July 26, 2025.
You can watch the trailer forTrapbelow.
