The True Story Behind M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Trap’

M. Night Shyamalan is known for his high-concept thrillers, and his latest film, Trap, brings that signature style to a new setting: a concert by pop star Lady Raven, portrayed by Shyamalan’s daughter, Saleka. The story follows Cooper, played by Josh Hartnett, a seemingly normal suburban dad who takes his daughter to see her favorite artist. During the event, Cooper learns from a venue vendor that the FBI is using the concert to capture a serial killer known as “The Butcher.” The twist? Cooper is The Butcher and must find a way to escape.

The plot, while seemingly outlandish, draws inspiration from a real-life event known as Operation Flagship. Shyamalan revealed in an interview with BBC News that the film’s concept was partially based on this 1985 sting operation. “I heard about it when I was a kid,” Shyamalan said. “It was something that stuck with me, especially the absurdity of it all.”

In the December 1985 operation, the U.S. Marshals and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., lured over 100 wanted criminals to the Washington Convention Center. The guise was a fake promotion offering free tickets to a Washington Redskins game against the Cincinnati Bengals and a chance to win tickets to the 1986 Super Bowl. The event was said to celebrate the launch of a new D.C. sports TV network, which was entirely fabricated.

Upon arrival, the fugitives were taken into different “party rooms,” adorned with snacks and cheerful slogans. Female officers, dressed as cheerleaders, checked the guests for weapons while the men were given balloons to categorize them. Violent offenders received red balloons. Louie McKinney, chief of enforcement operations for the U.S. Marshals, played the emcee, giving a speech before the arrests commenced.

As soon as McKinney mentioned a “big surprise,” officers entered to arrest the fugitives. This meticulously planned operation turned out to be one of the most successful mass arrests in U.S. history. “It was hilarious,” Shyamalan told Empire magazine. “The cops were literally cheerleaders and mascots. And they managed to catch every single one.”

While Operation Flagship used a popular football game to lure fugitives, Shyamalan chose a concert as the backdrop for Trap. “I directed an entire concert,” he explained. “It’s equally important to the story. There’s a real concert happening, adding layers to the cinematic experience.”

Retired federal agent Tobias Roche, who participated in Operation Flagship, reviewed the accuracy of Shyamalan’s portrayal. He pointed out that the officers’ lack of stealth in the movie was not true to life. “We made sure to avoid any suspicions,” Roche explained. “Our success was due to our ability to distract and not raise alarms.”

In Trap, a talkative vendor reveals the scheme, which Roche criticized as unrealistic. He recalled a real-life incident during Operation Flagship when a lawyer almost exposed the sting. The man had the exclusive rights to Redskins games and thought the fake TV network was illegal. After being told about the operation, he kept quiet, watching the entire sting from the control room. “If he had blown our cover, the operation would have been a failure,” said Roche.

Shyamalan’s Trap blends elements of real-life intrigue with his unique storytelling style, promising a thrilling experience that draws from historical events while adding his signature twists.

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