TRAP (Movie Review)

I needed something to chill for the weekend, however knowing me, I knew it will not be just chill but I will also want to talk about it. Romance and fantasy movies do not cut it for me anymore. Hence, I looked for thrillers. Guess what I found…

Screenshot/IMDB

It is a TRAP!

Set in Ontario, Trap is about an elaborate manhunt set up to catch one man – a serial killer known as the butcher. The authorities get a very popular artist to work with them and host a concert because there was a tip that this person would be there. Cooper and his daughter, Riley, just happened to be there. The things that happen next are just a series of twists and turns that leaves a hum in your blood.

What I felt seeing this movie

Screenshot/IMDB

Honestly, from the beginning I was excited. I saw the trailer and knew that this movie will not disappoint. It did not. I think the most thrilling part of it for me was that I got to see from the Killer’s point of view. We come across many crime stories that has the victim running and we feel the fear and all. It was different with this. At least to me. I felt the thrill, the excitement and most of all, I saw (or I think I did) the whole process that is this man.

Experiencing this man try to get away from the trap, he walked right into left my blood buzzing. I watched him bob and weave, his absolute charm and finesse left me gaping. I remember one scene where he just immersed himself into the lie he had created and I cackled. I did. I could not believe that anyone could be so in touch with his surrounding and be so out of touch at the same time. He was controlled, manipulative and charming. He flipped it like a switch and he was just like any normal person. That… that was the scary part.

Father-Daughter Interaction: Riley x Cooper

One thing I have learned about these people is that they appear to be normal within society. They have normal jobs, families and some of them are always in a place of high authority. Seeing Cooper with his daughter would make you believe he was any normal father, and that is so insane! Because this is just one of their many covers. These people can lead two lives and usually get away with it.

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One thing that struck me with Riley and Cooper’s relationship is how inclined she was to him that she noticed even his oddest behaviours. Now, the movie says he has a need for control and we watch him take charge even in the tensest situations. He has the uncanny ability to think and plan even under the pressure of twenty thousand screaming fans, vigilant police officers and a very excited daughter. There was one time I thought he would snap. The one time when he seemed all out of touch and out of moves, his daughter kept talking on and on and trying to get his attention. I watched his eyes go left right back forth and thought, “Oh he will snap”.

This man snapped, but not like I thought he would. He snapped out of his reverie, looked at his daughter and went; “yeah sure” turned back to the white walls of the hallway and figured out a plan. The hairs on my skin stood on end. I sat up with such speed my head spun for a second.

What I am trying to point out is, this man led two different lives separately and did it so well that even his daughter noticed he was acting odd for once. This means (to me) that while he was in control, he was already slipping. Something happens when a criminal slips, they make big mistakes. His first mistake did not happen at that concert. It happened outside of it, way before it all. That is something you will understand when you see the movie.

Cooper: The Man behind the Scene

Something happened before we were spun around and taken on this chase. Cooper had turned on his charm, approached an attendant to figure out why there was so much security for a concert. At that point, the camera angle was on both their faces, and it did this effect thing where it follows their movement. In a second, just a fraction of it, when the camera moved with Cooper, the beast behind the charm surfaced. For a second, he stared at Jamie, the attendant and I got chills.

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I have a feeling that was when he got into control mode. The Profiler brought on the case had thought about everything but it looked like she forgot one thing. The Unsub was just an ordinary man. This was his edge and he used it so well…ugh! I need to breathe…

Cooper clarified something for me though. The fact that these men, highly intelligent killers, have a line. That line divides their two lives and they live each life well. They do it so well. I am not a psychologist or a profiler or whatever; I am just a young girl who loves crime movies and documentaries. This, seeing it from this angle, thrilled me so much and I found myself laughing when I should be scared. I guess since we were not seeing from the victim’s POV, there was nothing to be scared about.

Conclusion

I give this movie a solid 9.5/10. The twists, cinematography, casts… everything were so on point and it satisfied me so much. It was the right amount of stimulation I needed, and I want more like this. It also carried no gore, blood or any killing. Family friendly. I recommend.