The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Trap (film)
Entertainment • Film

Trap (film)

Trap is a 2024 American thriller film written, directed, and produced by M.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Trap is a 2024 American thriller film written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. It follows a father who takes his teenage daughter to a pop concert, where he discovers the event is part of a police operation to catch a serial killer. The film stars Josh Hartnett and was released in theatres on August 2, 2024.

Premise

The film follows a father and teenage daughter at a pop concert that turns out to be a police trap for a serial killer. The central tension comes from the father trying to avoid detection while maintaining the appearance of a normal family outing.

Cast

The principal cast includes Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Night Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Alison Pill. Hartnett plays Cooper Abbott, the film's central character.

Production and release

Trap was written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. It premiered in theatres on August 2, 2024, with a PG-13 rating.

Reception and genre

The film is generally described as a thriller, with some sources also classifying it as a mystery or psychological thriller. Its setting in a concert arena and its cat-and-mouse structure are central to its identity.

Key facts

  • Trap is a 2024 American thriller film directed, written, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan.
  • The story centres on Cooper Abbott, a serial killer known as "the Butcher," who attends a concert with his daughter and becomes caught in a police sting.
  • Josh Hartnett plays the lead role, with Ariel Donoghue and Saleka Night Shyamalan among the principal cast.
  • The film was released theatrically on August 2, 2024, and is rated PG-13.
  • Warner Bros. Pictures distributed the film.
🍁
Canadian context

Trap was released internationally and is part of the mainstream Hollywood film market that is widely available to Canadian audiences through cinemas and streaming services.

Frequently asked questions

What is Trap about?
It is about a father who takes his daughter to a concert and learns the event is a police operation designed to catch a serial killer.
Who directed Trap?
M. Night Shyamalan directed, wrote, and produced the film.
Who stars in Trap?
The film stars Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Night Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Alison Pill.
When was Trap released?
It was released theatrically on August 2, 2024.
What genre is Trap?
It is primarily a thriller, and some sources describe it as a mystery thriller or psychological thriller.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_(2024_film)
    Supports: Basic plot, director, cast, and film identification.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/trap_2024
    Supports: Release date, distributor, genre, runtime, rating, and plot synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26753003/
    Supports: Runtime, genre labels, director, writer, and plot summary.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/trap-shyamalan-film-review-2024
    Supports: Plot description involving a father and daughter at a concert.