Who Stars In M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap? Cast & Character Guide Explored

As an ardent cinephile with a penchant for psychological thrillers and a soft spot for the enigmatic M. Night Shyamalan, I must say that his latest offering, Trap, has truly piqued my interest. The film’s unique blend of suspense, intrigue, and an eclectic ensemble cast, particularly featuring Josh Harnett and Shyamalan’s own daughter Saleka, promises a riveting cinematic experience.


As a longtime fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s work, I was eagerly awaiting the release of his latest psychological thriller “Trap.” Having grown up watching his movies and being captivated by their unique storytelling and twist endings, I have always been curious to see what he would bring to the table next.

Although Trap may not rank among M. Night Shyamalan’s top films thus far, it has undeniably generated considerable buzz due to its intriguing plot, stellar cast, and minimal production budget, making it an engaging viewing experience. Be sure to check out the impressive lineup of actors in this film.

Josh Harnett 

More recently, Harnett has returned with a bang after his standout role in Christopher Nolan’s 2023 Academy Award-winning hit Oppenheimer, and since then, there’s been no slowing down for him. Fresh off his performances in Black Mirror Season 6 and The Bear Season 3, he now delves into the character of a serial killer in Trap.

In the film, Hartnett plays Cooper Adams, a cunning serial killer disguised as such, who along with his daughter attends a pop concert, becomes entangled in a thrilling game of cat and mouse with law enforcement officers.

Ariel Donoghue

Emerging actress Ariel Donoghue from Australia is gaining recognition in the entertainment industry. Notable roles for Donoghue are Tough (released 2021), Blueback (2022), and Wolf Like Me (2022). At just seven years old, she kicked off her professional acting career with a guest appearance on High Life back in 2017.

In her early acting days, Ariel Donoghue appeared in several short films alongside her work. Notably, the character of Trap marks one of her most significant roles to date. In the film, Ariel portrays Riley Adams, Cooper’s daughter who accompanies him to the concert in Trap.

Saleka Shyamalan

In my personal account, I am proud to share that one of M. Night Shyamalan’s daughters is named Saleka, born in 1996. Her debut feature film role, titled “Trap,” has been brought to life by her on-screen character, Lady Raven. As a singer and recording artist in real life, her stage name, Saleka, has a magical connection to this fictional character she portrays.

At the same time as unveiling Trap, artist Saleka also debuted her entire first album, Lady Raven, which includes collaborations with rappers Russ and Kid Cudi, who are also part of the film’s cast. Notably, Saleka penned a segment of the original soundtrack for her father’s Apple series, Servant.

Hayley Mills

Hayley Mills first appeared on screen in the 1959 movie Tiger Bay. However, it was her dual role as Susan Evers and Sharon McKendrick in The Parent Trap (1961) that truly put her in the spotlight. Over the course of her career, she has been featured in many significant films, primarily for Disney, with Pollyanna (1960) and Whistle Down the Wind (1961) being among them.

From 1994 to 2004, a 78-year-old British actress paused her acting career for ten years. More recently, she has been seen in shows like The Wheel of Time and Wild at Heart. In the series Trap, she plays Dr. Josephine Grant, an FBI profiler who is tasked with finding Josh Hartnett’s character, a serial killer. In Trap, Mills portrays Dr. Grant.

Alison Pill 

Actress Alison Pill has become renowned for her memorable performances in significant films of the 21st century, including Milk (2008) and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010). Prior to taking on more mature roles, Pill – a child actor from Toronto, Canada – made numerous appearances in productions during her younger years.

Most recently, Alison Pill appeared in season 13 of Archer, Star Trek: Picard, Hello Tomorrow!, an Apple original series, and Amazon’s Them. In the series Trap, she takes on the role of Riley’s mother and Cooper’s wife, Rachel Adams.

Kid Cudi

Known as Kid Cudi, whose genuine name is Scott Mescudi, has become a globally recognized artist. His breakthrough album, Man On the Moon: The End of Day from 2009, catapulted his fame with hit singles like Day ‘n’ Nite, Soundtrack 2: My Life, and Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare).

Back in 2010, when I stepped into the spotlight as myself on One Tree Hill, it was my first foray into acting. Since then, I’ve graced both the big and small screens in numerous films and series, and even had the privilege of creating and performing in the Emmy-winning Netflix animated series Entergalactic. Now, in Trap, I bring The Thinker to life on screen.

Other cast and crew members

In addition to the previously mentioned personalities, the film includes Russell Vitale, better known by his stage name Russ, portraying Parker Reign; Lochland Miller takes on the role of Logan Adams, Cooper’s son; Marnie McPhail steps into the character of Jody’s mother; Jonathan Langdon is cast as Jamie, a venue employee; Vanessa Smythe plays the Tour Manager; Hailey Summer portrays The Thinker’s Assistant; and M. Night Shyamalan appears as Lady Raven’s uncle.

The film was made by Ashwin Rajan, Marc Bienstock, and M. Night Shyamalan under the production company, Blinding Edge Pictures.

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2024-08-03 19:23