Explaining the Ending of M. Night Shyamalan’s “Trap”

Contains spoilers for “Trap”

Depending on who you ask, M. Night Shyamalan is either one of the best or messiest filmmakers we have today. There was certainly a period where it seemed his days of making hit films like “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable” were behind him. However, since 2015’s “The Visit,” he’s had a largely solid return to form. “Trap” is his latest work, and, as is usual with Shyamalan’s movies, there’s a bit to unpack with its ending.

Some may have been surprised that the trailer seemingly gave the big twist away. The trailers showed loving father Cooper (Josh Hartnett) taking his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to a concert by pop icon Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan). But there’s more happening than just concert thrills; the concert is a trap to catch a serial killer known as The Butcher — who is none other than Cooper himself.

So how does “Trap” end? Does Cooper escape, or is he brought to justice?

A serial killer trapped at a massive concert venue is a fantastic premise. Shyamalan gets a lot of mileage out of continually frustrating our murderous protagonist. After Cooper learns why all the police are there, he starts plotting his escape. His only option is to get backstage, which he manages by convincing Lady Raven’s uncle to bring his daughter onstage. However, even backstage, Cooper isn’t safe, prompting him to take drastic measures.

Cooper reveals to Lady Raven that he’s the serial killer the FBI is after, blackmailing her into giving them a ride or else he’ll kill his latest victim. Lady Raven goes along with it before turning the tables, leading to a tense chase. Lady Raven manages to get hold of Cooper’s phone, alerting the authorities. Despite this, Cooper evades capture inside his home and takes Lady Raven for a ride before slipping out unnoticed.

With no other options left, Cooper returns home to confront his wife, Rachel (Alison Pill). Rachel had already suspected something was wrong and had left clues for the police. When Cooper threatens her life, she serves him pie laced with a knockout substance. Before it takes full effect, he sees a vision of his mother, hinting at traumatic experiences from his past.

As he approaches the hallucination, he’s tased and apprehended by the authorities. Before being taken away, he adjusts a bicycle and shares one last hug with his daughter. Despite being led away, Cooper manages to hide a spoke from the bike up his sleeve, hinting at a possible escape. The movie ends with Cooper undoing his handcuffs and laughing maniacally, suggesting The Butcher could be on the loose again as the credits roll.

Before Cooper returns home, Rachel has a chat with FBI profiler Dr. Grant (Hayley Mills). She wants to understand her husband’s psyche. Dr. Grant explains that serial killers often blend in with everyday life, with their true nature known only by a parent. In Cooper’s case, his mother likely knew his true nature, as he constantly hallucinates her.

M. Night Shyamalan explained the casting of Mills — known for her role in Disney’s “The Parent Trap” — and what Dr. Grant represents. Rather than having a single person chasing Cooper, Shyamalan wanted a maternal figure who understands men like him. Dr. Grant, Lady Raven, and Rachel all play crucial roles in bringing Cooper down, emphasizing the theme of maternity that ultimately gets Cooper’s guard down.

Shyamalan’s movies are often defined by their twists. In “Trap,” audiences likely know ahead of time that Cooper is the serial killer. This reveal early on gives the film more freedom. Shyamalan aimed to deliver a different kind of twist, making the audience empathize with a killer and possibly root for him to evade the trap.

Many fans speculated there would be a bigger twist at the end of “Trap.” Some thought another serial killer would surface at the concert, while others believed Riley might be the real killer. However, these theories were wrong. “Trap” turned out to be a straightforward thriller without any additional mind-bending twists.

While audiences might not expect a post-credits scene in “Trap,” there is one halfway through the credits. The scene shows the merch vendor, Jamie, watching a news report about The Butcher’s apprehension. His horror builds as he realizes his concert buddy Cooper is the killer. The scene adds a touch of dark humor, consistent with the tone of the film.

Although “Trap” stands alone, its ending leaves the door open for a possible sequel. Cooper undoes his handcuffs, hinting at an escape and future havoc. Josh Hartnett, who plays Cooper, expressed interest in working with Shyamalan again, whether in a sequel or another project. Hartnett’s performance is a highlight of “Trap,” perfectly capturing the character’s dual nature as a doting father and malicious killer.

As “Trap” garners attention, it may divide audiences with its themes and Shyamalan’s signature style. But one thing is clear — Josh Hartnett’s return to the big screen is a welcome one.