Hey thriller fans you are in for a surprise. Netflix just dropped a movie out of nowhere and it is a big one. We are talking about M. Night Shyamalan's latest film Trap and yes it is streaming right now on Netflix in the US! Did anyone see this coming? Nope but we are definitely not complaining.
Concert Gone Wrong? The Plot of 'Trap' is Seriously Twisted (In a Good Way!)
So what is Trap even about? Well buckle up because it is a wild ride. Imagine going to a pop concert with your kid right? Sounds like a normal dad thing to do. That is exactly what Cooper Abbott played by Josh Hartnett does. He is taking his daughter Riley to see her favorite pop star Lady Raven. Cute right? Wrong!
Things take a dark turn fast. Cooper notices something is off at the concert. Security is super tight police are everywhere and then it hits him. This is not just a concert. It is a trap. The FBI believes a serial killer known as "The Butcher" is in the arena and they are using the concert as a giant sting operation to catch him.
And guess what? Cooper realizes he might be "The Butcher" they are after. Talk about a messed up father-daughter outing! The movie becomes a super intense game of cat and mouse as Cooper has to figure out how to escape the arena surrounded by cops without raising suspicion especially with his daughter right there.
Real Life Inspiration? 'Trap' is Loosely Based on This Wild FBI Sting Operation
Get this the story for Trap is not totally made up. Shyamalan got some inspo from a real thing called "Operation Flagship". Back in 1985 the US Marshals and DC police pulled off something crazy. They sent out fake invites to fugitives for free Redskins tickets (now Commanders NFL team). It was all a trick!
When these fugitives showed up to get their "tickets" expecting a fun day they walked right into a trap. Undercover cops dressed as ushers cheerleaders even mascots were waiting to arrest them. Operation Flagship actually caught over 100 people! Shyamalan said he heard about this as a kid and thought it was so unbelievable and "absurdist" that he had to make a movie about it. Real life is stranger than fiction sometimes.
Where to Watch 'Trap' Right Now: Netflix Just Joined the Party!
Good news if you are in the US and ready for some suspense. Trap is streaming on Netflix as of March 11 2025! This was a surprise drop for many folks. Before Netflix grabbed it Trap was already streaming on Max since October 2024. So if you have either Netflix or Max you are good to go.
But here is the catch Netflix might only have Trap for a limited time. Some predictions say it could be gone from Netflix around June 11 2025. So if you want to check it out on Netflix do not wait too long! Looks like Warner Bros. is sharing some of its movies with Netflix these days which is cool for us viewers even if it is for a limited window.
Box Office Buzz and Reviews: Is 'Trap' a Hit or a Miss? Critics and Fans Weigh In
When Trap was in theaters back in August 2024 it did okay at the box office. It actually tripled its budget of $30 million which is not bad at all. Audiences seemed to dig the movie praising the storyline. critics were a bit more mixed though. Trap has a 57% rating on Rotten Tomatoes which means it is sitting right in the middle not a total flop but not a critical darling either.
Some reviews from regular viewers are more positive giving it a 65% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. But some critics were not sold. Some thought it was "insanely unrealistic" and others felt it was just a way to promote Shyamalan's daughter's music since she plays the pop star in the movie. One review even said the "twist" was that the viewer wasted three hours of their life! Ouch.
However some people did like it. One reviewer admitted the plot was "a bit ridiculous at times" but still found it "entertaining and interesting enough to be worth a watch". And many agreed Josh Hartnett's performance as the maybe-killer dad was a highlight. So it sounds like Trap is one of those movies you might just have to watch and decide for yourself.
Meet the 'Trap' Crew: Cast List and Characters
Want to know who is who in Trap? Here is a quick cast rundown:
- Josh Hartnett as Cooper Abbott (the maybe-killer dad)
- Ariel Donoghue as Riley Abbott (the daughter)
- Saleka Shyamalan as Lady Raven (the pop star)
- Alison Pill as Rachel Abbott
- Hayley Mills as Dr. Josephine Grant
- Jonathan Langdon as Jamie
- Mark Bacolcol as Spencer
- Kid Cudi as The Thinker
- Russell “Russ” Vitale as Parker Wayne
Final Verdict: Is 'Trap' Worth Your Netflix Binge?
So is Trap worth checking out on Netflix? If you are in the mood for a twisty thriller with some suspense and you are a fan of M. Night Shyamalan's style it might be right up your alley. Just go in knowing that reviews are mixed and some folks found it unrealistic. But hey sometimes those are the movies that are the most fun to watch and debate right? Plus Josh Hartnett is getting some praise for his performance and who knows you might just end up loving it. Give Trap a shot on Netflix and see if you can escape its twists!