In his latest thriller movie, Trap, M. Night Shyamalan again does what he's known for, which is a suspense movie with strong psychological tension. It is based on Cooper, played by Josh Hartnett, a fit and devoted father with a dark secret hidden deep within him. He's also the serial killer known as "The Butcher."

In his review for Screen Rant, Nick Bythrow commended O’Brien and Scanlen’s performances but remarked that the film’s characters lack depth, which impacts its narrative tension. Collider’s Matthew Donato echoed these sentiments, calling the film’s third act confusing despite its creative premise.