M. Night Shyamalan Praises Josh Hartnett’s Remarkable Performance in “Trap”

DIRECTOR M. Night Shyamalan praises Josh Hartnett’s remarkable performance in the upcoming thriller “Trap,” co-created with his daughter Saleka.

“Trap,” the latest thriller from the brilliant mind of director M. Night Shyamalan, tells the riveting story of a father and daughter who attend a pop concert only to realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event. How did this thriller about a serial killer trapped in a concert venue come to life?

“‘Trap’ was created by me and my daughter Saleka from our conversations together about music and movies,” Shyamalan proudly shares. Saleka, who plays Lady Raven in the film, also wrote the fictional artist’s songs featured in the concert. This unique father-daughter collaboration brings a fresh and personal touch to the film’s narrative.

Saleka, a professional singer-songwriter, reflects on her father’s passion for filmmaking.

“What’s interesting to me is that he tells such dark stories because I think he is such a positive person,” she says.

“You see that positivity in the context of these dark situations, and you know that he thinks the universe is good. It’s a key throughline in a lot of his movies. And I think this is another example of that. It’s beautiful to watch. That makes me feel safe on set, and it makes a lot of people feel happy and joyous to be here. It’s like we’re living the dream. He feels that and so we remember that every day.”

Josh Hartnett, who plays Cooper, holds great respect for Shyamalan, especially because of the director’s meticulous approach.

“I was given a big ream of the storyboards, which is basically the film,” shares Hartnett. “You could flip through it and you could see every shot… for someone to come that prepared and then show up and actually live within it… I think he does that because he feels what the actors are going through.

“You can see him behind the camera, really experiencing it, wanting to be there 100%, to see how it will be experienced by the audience. Later, he can then put it together in a way that’s going to be most effective for the audience. It just shows what a master he is of this craft. And I think because of all that, he really enjoys the process.”

Shyamalan is equally impressed with Hartnett’s dedication. For the role of Cooper, Shyamalan wanted an actor who is a big risk-taker.

“When I met Josh, he looked me in the eye, and I just knew he was ready to do anything – there was an energy, an electricity coming off of him,” says the director. “I think for audiences, one of the great reasons to come to this movie is seeing the amazing performance that Josh gives.”

“Trap,” distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, opens in cinemas July 31. Be sure to catch this captivating thriller and witness Josh Hartnett’s stellar performance. #TrapMovie

(Photo and Video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

(ROHN ROMULO)