The Most Disappointing Villain in Recent M. Night Shyamalan Movies

Essential Insights

Cooper’s portrayal in Trap falls into the realm of cliché horror villains, characterized by a familiar backstory that lacks significant depth.
The film’s ineffective narrative and implausible scenarios render it less engaging when compared to contemporary slasher films.

M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense is not only renowned for its monumental plot twist but also for being one of the first films that genuinely terrified me during my childhood. Growing up in the 1990s and having watched many movies featuring Josh Hartnett—ranging from The Faculty to Here on Earth—I approached his latest project with considerable excitement. In Trap, Hartnett takes on the role of Cooper Abbott, a father who attends a concert by Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan) alongside his teenage daughter, Riley (Ariel Donoghue). The trailer teases a potential twist: could Cooper be the infamous serial killer known as The Butcher, who everyone at the concert is desperately trying to locate?

The concert backdrop is an intriguing setting for a horror film, leading me to anticipate a strong performance from Hartnett. However, the conclusion of Trap felt lackluster, along with Cooper’s character development, which ultimately leaves much to be desired.

The Shortcomings of Cooper as a Villain in Trap

Josh Hartnett and Ariel Donoghue in Trap

Cooper presents as a rather uninspired horror villain. He embodies the archetype of countless killers seen in the genre. As the film reaches its climax, we learn that a troubled childhood—filled with mistreatment by his mother—fuels Cooper’s dark past. Although this revelation aims to be tragic, it adheres to a well-worn formula often found in horror narratives. I found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of Cooper’s life: beyond being a father and husband, what intricacies shape him?

Cooper’s character feels remarkably ordinary; it echoes the sentiment that, in reality, when horrific acts occur, neighbors often describe the perpetrators as merely “seemed so nice.”This lack of distinctiveness renders Cooper less compelling.

Moreover, revealing the film’s twist in the trailer was a misstep. While the marketing for The Black Phone was exemplary, Trap fell short in this regard. I anticipated an unexpected twist where Cooper might not actually be The Butcher. The eventual reveal that he indeed is, coupled with him escaping the police, left me underwhelmed. Although Rachel (Allison Pill) knowing Cooper’s secret added a layer of intrigue, it felt insufficient for satisfying horror enthusiasts.

Additionally, Cooper’s attempts to evade capture are poorly executed. His success hinges on other characters failing to perform their duties effectively. The portrayal of security personnel and Dr. Josephine Grant (Hayley Mills), an FBI profiler, seems unrealistic. The incompetence displayed reduces the film’s overall tension, creating a contrast with more coordinated narratives found in other modern slasher films. Cooper never appears to orchestrate a clever plan or remain a step ahead of law enforcement, which diminishes his threat level.

Horror Fans’ Reactions to M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap

Horror aficionados also expressed disappointment with Trap, sharing insights in a Reddit thread. One user noted that the film lacked a secondary twist, suggesting there should have been another individual revealed as The Butcher. They remarked:

“I kept expecting the Shyamalan twist to be that Cooper wasn’t the serial killer they were after.”

Another Redditor, @BaronVonRuthless91, criticized the FBI’s collaboration with Lady Raven, questioning:

“Was anyone else a bit distracted by how the FBI decided to let a random celebrity in on all their plans?”

Such criticisms could have felt less bothersome if Cooper were a more riveting character. Unfortunately, his ordinary presence magnifies the film’s narrative flaws.

Redditor @DRoseCantStop observed that the film’s appeal diminished after the action shifted from the concert setting to Cooper’s residential area. They commented:

“I would’ve been more impressed had they stayed at the concert until the last act. Film definitely lost some steam after the escape to suburbia, IMO.”

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