M. Night Shyamalan‘s latest movie, Trap, is now playing in theaters. But there’s something interesting you should know about it. The movie was partially based on an incredible true story.
The film follows Cooper (Josh Hartnett), a seemingly devoted father who harbors a dark secret. Cooper is a notorious serial killer known as “The Butcher.” In a shocking twist, what’s supposed to be a father-daughter bonding experience at a pop concert turns into a deadly trap.
In an interview with Empire Magazine, Shyamalan described the film as “Silence of the Lambs meets a Taylor Swift concert.” While the set-up sounds like pure cinematic fantasy, Trap draws inspiration from a real-life sting operation—”Operation Flagship,” one of the most successful maneuvers in history by the U.S. Marshals Service.
In December 1985, the U.S. Marshals Service devised a cunning plan to apprehend a large number of fugitives. The Marshals sent out over 3,000 invitations, disguised as being from a sports channel called Flagship International Sports TV. These invites, targeting individuals with outstanding warrants, promised free tickets to a Washington Redskins game.
The unsuspecting fugitives were lured in by the prospect of a fun day out and a chance to win coveted prizes. Little did they know the pre-game party was actually a trap. Over 150 undercover officers awaited them, disguised as everything from cheerleaders and caterers to janitorial staff.
The plan was to apprehend the fugitives in small groups. However, the pre-arranged signal for the special operations team to enter the room went awry. Undeterred, Louie McKinney, the officer leading the operation, announced a “surprise” for the “winners.” This time, it wasn’t a Super Bowl trip but a room full of heavily armed officers ready to make the arrests.
“Operation Flagship” resulted in a staggering 144 arrests, proving that sometimes, the most effective traps are the ones that appear harmless.
Josh Hartnett stars alongside Ariel Donoghue, who plays the role of his daughter in the movie Trap. The cast also includes Ishana Shyamalan, Hayley Mills, and Allison Pill.
Trap promises to be a thrilling exploration of deception and suspense. Shyamalan’s unique storytelling, paired with the inspiration from this real-life event, makes for a film that’s sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Get your tickets now!
