Two of the biggest theories about M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap may have already been debunked. M. Night Shyamalan’s new film, Trap, will be released on August 2, 2024. It will be another one of his iconic films, notorious for unexpected twists and supernatural themes, beginning with The Sixth Sense in 1999. It is no surprise that Trap is about a father who takes his daughter to a concert and realizes the police have set a trap for him, implying he is the serial killer “The Butcher” that the authorities are looking for.

Many theories have circulated regarding what the twist in Trap could possibly be, with some theories more popular than others. There are even concerns that the Trap trailer revealed the twist already. These concerns were so widespread that M. Night Shyamalan had to address them. The writer-director skirted around the issue altogether. However, once the second Trap trailer was released, there are now suggestions that some of these theories are impossible, effectively debunking them. If the second trailer debunked them, then there is no saying what the twist could be.

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Two Major Theories About Trap Suggested The Daughter Was Either A Vampire Or The Informant

Two Of The Most Popular Theories For Trap’s Twist

Cooper (Josh Hartnett) And Riley (Ariel Donoghue) Taking A Picture In M. Night Shyamalan's Trap

The second trailer for Trap reveals new information that has affected two of the biggest theories about the film’s twist. One of these theories suggests that the daughter, Riley, is a vampire, which would also tie into M. Night Shyamalan’s tendency to explore the supernatural. The second theory also involves Riley. Rather than Riley being a vampire, she is her father’s informant, giving him the information necessary so that he can effectively carry out more killings. It is ideal for Riley to be part of the most popular theories, but now, it is unlikely that either will be the twist.

Trap’s Second Trailer Seemingly Debunks Theories About The Daughter

The Daughter Seems To Be Confused In Trap’s Second Trailer

Cooper (Josh Hartnett) And Riley (Ariel Donoghue) At The Concert In M. Night Shyamalan's Trap

Riley will most likely not be a vampire or her father’s informant because Trap‘s second trailer reveals that she has no idea what is happening at the concert. Riley seems blissfully unaware of the circumstances and is simply there to have a good time and see her favorite singer live. There are even moments in the second trailer where Riley panics hysterically, not knowing about the tension and rising stakes between her father and the authorities. These facts seem to break the idea that Riley is somehow involved with The Butcher as an informant or a vampire.

M. Night Shyamalan’s Films

Year

Praying with Anger

1992

Wide Awake

1998

The Sixth Sense

1999

Stuart Little (writer only)

1999

Unbreakable

2000

Signs

2002

The Village

2004

Lady In The Water

2006

The Happening

2008

The Last Airbender

2010

After Earth

2013

The Visit

2015

Split

2016

Glass

2019

Old

2021

Knock at the Cabin

2023

Trap

2024

This conclusion does not eliminate several other theories that are still contenders for the film’s twist. The debunking of Riley being an informant or a vampire is certainly discouraging, but it does not make this film any less exciting. Trap is still a highly anticipated film, and M. Night Shyamalan should never be underestimated. Furthermore, if Trap‘s only twist for now is the father being the killer the authorities are looking for, it is a good sign. This horror twist can redeem last year’s misfire with Knock At The Cabin, suggesting there will be more unexpected twists in the film.

What Will Trap’s Real Twist Be?

There Are Several Other Possibilities For Trap’s Twist

There are still several more Trap theories that are just as plausible as Riley’s involvement. There are some big theories about Trap‘s killer twist. Two fascinating ideas include Trap being a sequel to The Sixth Sense, M. Night Shyamalan’s first big hit. Trap would be a sequel because one of The Butcher’s victims is a ghost who helped the authorities secure this trap for Josh Hartnett’s character, Cooper. The second theory is that the man in Cooper’s video is the real killer. These extraordinary theories make a good twist, but whether they actually come to fruition will be determined.

Riley is not the only family member suspected of being part of The Butcher’s scheming. Another theory suggests that her mother is the real killer, while Cooper is just her partner in crime or informant. Further theories that are definite possibilities but would be less entertaining include Cooper setting the trap himself, or that there really is no twist at all. Trap‘s twist cannot be that simple—there must be multiple surprises that the film has in store. Chances are that most theories are overthinking things, and the answer will be so simple in hindsight.

It is also possible that Trap‘s second trailer was edited to throw audiences off track, which would make Riley still a contender for the twist. However, Riley seems like the obvious choice in general. She loves the singer Lady Raven and is uninterested in her surroundings. Lady Raven could also be involved—she might have laid the trap herself. Lady Raven could also be The Butcher, murdering people in between songs. This theory initially sounds silly, but nobody should be ruled out as a possibility. Regardless of what the twist is, it will certainly be shocking.

Trap

Not Yet Rated
Thriller
Mystery

Trap is a film by writer-director M. Night Shyamalan under his Blinding Edge Pictures label. The film is part of a deal struck with Warner Bros for him to direct and produce several films under their banner. 

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Release Date

August 9, 2024

Studio(s)

Blinding Edge Pictures
, New Line Cinema

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures
, New Line Cinema

Writers

M. Night Shyamalan

Cast

Josh Hartnett
, Hayley Mills
, Marnie McPhail
, Vanessa Smythe
, Saleka Shyamalan
, Malik Jubal
, Jonathan Langdon
, Peter D’Souza
, Ty Pravong
, Kaitlyn Dallan

Main Genre

Thriller