M. Night Shyamalan is one of the most visionary, consistent and prolific film-makers in contemporary American cinema.

His films defy convention, surprise audiences and are among those that provide the best times at the movies.

It’s the 25th anniversary for Shyamalan’s now classic, “The Sixth Sense” (1999), nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Shyamalan), Best Original Screenplay (Shyamalan), Best Supporting Actor (Haley Joel Osment) and Best Supporting Actress (Toni Collette).

Bruce Willis should have received a Best Actor Oscar nomination and deserved to win for “The Sixth Sense.” Now it’s too late. Here’s hoping the Academy honors Willis with an honorary Oscar (for his 148 actor credits per IMDB, notably the Shyamalan-directed “Glass,” 2019; “Split,” 2016, and “Unbreakable,” 2000, as well as “Pulp Fiction,” 1994; “Die Hard,” 1988, in addition to TV’s “Moonlighting,” 1985-1989).

Including his breakthrough “The Sixth Sense,” 14 films (16 in all) have been directed by Shyamalan, who grew up in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, and was 54 on Aug. 6.

Shyamalan’s latest psychological-thriller is “Trap.” It’s bristling, edgy and entertaining.

In “Trap,” Cooper (Josh Hartnett) is taking his daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) to an arena concert by pop superstar Lady Raven (Saleka Night Shyamalan).

Lady Raven is a teen sensation. Think Taylor Swift (Get it? Raven is also a bird name.) meets Lady Gaga (Yes, there’s that Lady appellation.).

During the concert, it’s revealed that dear old dad has something else on his mind than singing along with his daughter to the songs of Lady Raven. Cooper has his eye on the extraordinary security and police presence inside and outside the concert arena.

Chatting with a vendor Jamie (Jonathan Langdon) at the Lady Raven merchandise table, Connor is told that the concert is actually a set-up, a trap, devised by FBI profiler Dr. Josephine Grant (Haley Mills) to catch a serial killer known as The Butcher.

Connor steals a security pass and police walkie-talkie, sets off diversions and tries to figure out a way to depart the concert venue without detection.

There’s more to the plot line, but that would be telling. Suffice it to say that “Trap” will trap you and trick you with the twists and turns that are a hallmark of director Shyamalan, who also wrote the clever and smart screenplay for the film.

The solid supporting cast includes Alison Pill (Rachel, Cooper’s wife), Kid Cudi (The Thinker, rap star), Russ (Parker Wayne, hip-hop star) and Shyamalan in a cameo as Lady Raven’s uncle.

The casting of Haley Mills (star of Disney comedies, including “The Parent Trap,” 1961 ) is a stroke of genius by Shyamalan. “Trap” is a parent trap.

Josh Hartnett (“Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre,” 2023; “The Black Dahlia,” 2006; “Black Hawk Down,” 2001; “Pearl Harbor,” 2001; “The Virgin Suicides,” 1999) is extraordinary as Cooper aka Dad the Serial Killer.

This is a career reset for Hartnett. He carries the film. His facial micro-aggression expressions are perfectly-timed to reveal inner character contradictions despite a benign placid exterior. His eye movements speak volumes.

The songs written, sung and produced by Saleka Night Shyamalan, daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, are quite good as are the impressive concert scenes in the film. She holds her own in the dialogue scenes in her feature film acting debut.

The soundtrack by Herdís Stefánsdóttir (Composer, “Knock at the Cabin,” 2023) builds the suspense measurably at all the right moments.

The cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom (Cinematographer, “Challengers,” 2024; “Call Me By Your Name,” 2017) and editing by Noemi Katharina Preiswerk (Editor, “Knock at the Cabin”) is superb.

Shyamalan is a master film-maker in the tradition of the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock.

Shyamalan (“Knock at the Cabin” 2023; “Old,” 2021; “Glass,” 2019; “Split,” 2016; “The Visit,” 2015; “After Earth,” 2013; “The Last Airbender” 2010; “The Happening,” 2008; “Lady in the Water,” 2006; “The Village,” 2004; “Signs,” 2002; “Unbreakable,” 2000; “The Sixth Sense,” 1999) is a visual stylist. He sees things many may not. He looks straight on at human behavior while many may look away.

Shyamalan’s psychological thrillers succeed because he’s a psychological detailist. He’s a cinematic profiler. He frames each scene carefully. He imbues scenes with information that piles up to tell a story, advances the plot and reveals character.

There’s a reliability to a Shyamalan thriller. Just when you think you have him and his films figured out, you realize you don’t. And then it’s too late. You are trapped in M. Night Shyamalan’s world of suspense.

“Trap,” MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Parents are urged to be cautious. Some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.) for some violent content and brief strong language; Genre: Psychological-Thriller. Run time: 1 hour, 45 minutes. Distributed by Warner Bros.

Credit Readers Anonymous: M. Night Shyamalan’s production company, Blinding Edge Pictures, is in Berwyn, Chester County.

“Trap” was filmed in 35 mm in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from October to December 2023.

“Trap” is one of two films released in 2024 that M. Night Shyamalan produced involving his children. His other daughter, Ishana Shyamalan, directed “The Watchers.”

Stay to the very end for a post-credits scene.

At The Movies: “Trap” was seen in the standard format at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office, Aug. 16-18: “Alien: Romulus,” eighth in the franchise, opening, $41.5 million in 3,885 theaters, ending the three-week-straight run of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” dropping one place to No. 2 with a still-solid $29 million in 3,960 theaters, $545.8 million, four weeks, and the top-grossing R-rated movie worldwide with more than $1 million, passing “The Joker.”

3. “It Ends with Us” dropped one place with a still-strong $24 million in 3,739 theaters, $97.7 million, two weeks.

4. “Twisters” dropped one place, $9.8 million in 3,483 theaters, $238.4 million, five weeks. 5. “Coraline,” 15th anniversary of the stop-motion animation film re-released in 3D remastered, with $8.3 million in 1,535 theaters, $11.3 million since Aug. 15 opening. 6. “Despicable Me 4” dropped one place, $6 million in 2,788 theaters, $340.4 million, seven weeks. 7. “Trap” dropped one place, $3.4 million in 2,436 theaters, $35.2 million, three weeks. 8. “Inside Out 2” dropped one place, $3.2 million in 1,850 theaters, $642.1 million, 10 weeks; $1.6 billion worldwide, the top-grossing animation film ever. 9. ”Stree 2,” the second-highest Bollywood film opening, $2.5 million in 666 theaters. 10. “Borderlands” dropped six places, $2.3 million in 3,125 theaters, $13.5 million, two weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Aug. 18 is subject to change.

Unreel, Aug. 22:

“Blink Twice,” R: Zoë Kravitz directs Channing Tatum, Adria Arjona, Naomi Ackie, Christian Slater, Levon Hawke and Geena Davis in the Mystery Thriller. A tech billionaire’s vacation fling goes awry.

“The Crow,” R: Rupert Sanders directs Bill Skarsgard, FKA twigs aka Tahliah Debrett Barnett and Danny Huston in the Horror film. It’s a remake of the 1994 cult film.

“Greedy People,” R: Potsy Ponciroli directs Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tracy Lords, Joey Lauren Adams, Tim Blake Nelson and Jim Gaffigan in the Crime Comedy. Residents of a small island town must deal with a sensational murder.

“Between the Temples,” R: Nathan Silver directs Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane, Dolly De Leon and Robert Smigel in the Comedy, A cantor at a synagogue teaches a new Bat Mitzvah student.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes