‘The Trap’: New M. Night Shyamalan Thriller Premieres on Spanish TV. The film ‘The Trap’, starring Josh Hartnett, will air today on La 1. The movie grossed nearly three times its budget and sparked discussion due to its unusual premiere. After the broadcast, it will be available for free on RTVE Play.
This evening, the Spanish TV channel La 1 will air the television premiere of the thriller "La trampa" directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film, starring Josh Hartnett, attracted attention not only for its plot but also for its unusual release strategy. Shot with a budget of $30 million, it has already grossed almost three times that amount, despite the absence of traditional press screenings for critics.
The plot of "La trampa" centers on Philadelphia firefighter Cooper Abbott, who attends a concert by popular singer Lady Raven with his daughter. Soon, the protagonist notices an increased police presence and learns that the FBI is searching for a serial killer known as Carnicero. It is suddenly revealed that Abbott himself is the wanted man, and at that very moment, a captive named Spencer is being held in his basement.
The film premiered in August 2024 after a change of distributor: the project was initially planned for Universal Pictures, but the rights ultimately went to Warner Bros. The studio explained its decision not to hold press screenings by citing a desire to avoid spoilers, though this practice is usually reserved for films expected to elicit a mixed response. As a result, critics gave "La trampa" a reserved reception, noting its solid foundation and interesting structure, while Josh Hartnett's performance was cited as one of the film's strengths.
Viewers received the film more positively, noting Shyamalan's trademark plot twists and the dynamic storytelling. Special attention was drawn to the fact that the director is once again experimenting with audience expectations, which has become his signature style. Interestingly, director Drew Hancock, who helmed the successful 'La acompañante' (2025), included 'La trampa' in his list of favorite films of the year, emphasizing that 105 minutes with Josh Hartnett is an excellent choice for fans of the genre.
After today's screening on La 1, the film will be available for free on the RTVE Play platform, but only for a limited time. This practice has already become standard for premieres on Spain's public channels. It's important to note that such releases often spark discussions among viewers and critics, as was the case recently when a well-known TV host changed her opinion about a novel after a second read — more about this can be found in the article on Mercedes Milá's reaction to David Uclés' book.
For reference: M. Night Shyamalan is known for his work in the thriller and horror genres, and his films are often subject to debate due to their unexpected plot developments. Josh Hartnett, who played the lead role, has previously starred in a number of successful projects, which also drew attention to 'La trampa.' Premieres on La 1 and RTVE Play traditionally attract a large audience, especially when it comes to major international releases.
