Josh Harnett returns to the big box office with Trap / Seattle Refined
Leaving the theater, the consistent message that rang through my head was simple: "Trap" is not a typical M. Night Shyamalan movie. Honestly, that's not a bad thing. It reminded me of a great crime caper from British television. Watching the film, you can't help but partake in Josh Hartnett's realization that he is in a completely new world at the Lady Raven concert, concerned with his daughter. It's tough being a dad in this neo-pop landscape, and while that doesn't mean you should become a serial killer, it opens up a conversation: are there real dads out there anymore?
What I mean by this falls along the lines of the current trends of dad bods, dad jokes, and off-putting dad humor. Once the cornerstone of a great family, these days dads are often the butt of a joke. Well, in the case of Hartnett's character Cooper in "Trap," not this dad, not ever.
One can't help but notice the believability of "Trap," seeing how hard it is for Cooper to form a connection with Ariel Donoghue, who plays his daughter Riley. It's clear from the start of the picture that he hasn't been around. As a Midwesterner with a flexible schedule, I run into countless droves of wives with babies at the local markets and breakfast shops, and countless dads on the golf range by 9 AM. If that is the scope of family existence these days, then we really haven't moved on from a time period where husbands frequented bars after work instead of heading straight home. The main difference these days is similar to the gym: we are seeing more women in these roles than ever before. Some would argue it's a great thing to show how far we have come in equalizing these things in society. Others would look at the science behind what we are seeing and note that younger women are starting to face similar health issues as their male counterparts did in the past. More beer, fewer cosmos. That seems to be the trend in most pubs today, so welcome to the age of the girl dad. For you young ladies out there, I hope your dad isn't locking people up in any empty basements anywhere.
"Trap" is a fun movie for girl dads everywhere to get a laugh out of. Yes, we are the butt of our kids' jokes for a reason. Our shoes are out of style, our hair is out of style, and we don't know the new dance or the new game. Though if they are in the picture, appreciate them because you only get a girl dad once, even a serial killer one.
Box Office Performance and Reactions
In its first week at the box office, "Trap" has garnered a mix of reactions but has performed solidly, pulling in $25 million domestically. Fans and critics alike have noted that this film marks a departure from Shyamalan's usual twist-heavy storytelling. Some appreciated the fresh take. Others felt it strayed too far from what they love about Shyamalan’s work.
The performances, particularly Hartnett's, have been praised for their depth and authenticity. Riley’s struggle to reconnect with her estranged father has struck a chord with many viewers, resonating deeply with the themes of modern fatherhood and familial bonds.
So, if you're a dad—or you have one—"Trap" might just be the movie that sparks some interesting conversations on your way home.
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