Concert of Lies: Shyamalan's 'Trap' Inspired by Real-Life Operation Flagship
M. Night Shyamalan, renowned for his high-concept thrillers, draws inspiration from a real-life sting operation for his latest film, *Trap*. Set amidst a packed concert by pop star Lady Raven (played by Shyamalan's daughter, Saleka), the film follows Cooper (Josh Hartnett), a seemingly ordinary father who finds himself caught in an FBI operation to capture a serial killer known as "The Butcher". The twist? Cooper is the Butcher, and he must escape the very trap designed to ensnare him.
While the plot might sound outlandish, it's based in part on the real-life Operation Flagship. Shyamalan, captivated by the absurdity of the operation as a child, told BBC News, "I thought it was totally absurd, that this actually happened... It was something that was in my head a lot when it happened."
The inspiration stemmed from the operation's unique approach: exploiting the criminals' lowered guard. "[The authorities] used the absurdity against them," Shyamalan explained to BBC News, "because they lowered their guard, which I thought was quite brilliant... It just stuck with me, and I guess when Saleka and I were thinking about a movie at a concert, I wondered, why would this person not be able to get out, and how can I keep them there?"
Operation Flagship, a joint effort by the United States Marshals and Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department in December 1985, lured over 100 wanted fugitives to the Washington Convention Center under the guise of a free Washington Redskins game. The event, supposedly a celebration for a new sports TV network called Flagship International Sports Television Inc., promised attendees a chance to win Super Bowl tickets.
The unsuspecting fugitives, arriving for their "prize", were ushered into "party rooms" decorated with "Let's party!" posters and snacks. Marshals and police officers posed as event staff, with female officers dressed as cheerleaders checking guests for weapons. The men were even given colour-coded balloons, with violent criminals receiving red balloons.
Louie McKinney, chief of enforcement operations for the U.S. Marshals, played the role of an emcee, giving a speech before the "prize" was revealed. As McKinney announced a "big surprise", Marshals stormed the rooms, making mass arrests. The operation became one of the most successful fugitive round-ups in American history.
Shyamalan, describing the operation as "hilarious", told *Empire
magazine: "The cops were literally cheerleaders and mascots, and [the criminals] were all caught. It was so twisted and funny."
While Operation Flagship used a popular football game as a lure, Shyamalan opted for a concert with the scope of a Taylor Swift Eras Tour show. "I directed an entire concert," he said to *Empire*. "It's equally important... There is no pretend concert going on. I love the idea of cinema as windows within windows. One of the reasons to come see the movie at the movie theater is because thereâs literally a real concert that you can see nowhere except in that movie."
However, retired federal agent Tobias Roche, who was part of Operation Flagship, pointed out some inaccuracies in Shyamalan's film to *British GQ*. Roche argued that the police presence in *Trap*, with a SWAT team waiting outside and visible officers questioning concertgoers, would have been far too obvious for a successful sting operation.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining secrecy during Operation Flagship, citing an instance where a lawyer representing a company with exclusive rights to Redskins games arrived at the convention centre, questioning the legitimacy of the event. The lawyer was informed of the operation and kept it under wraps, allowing the operation to proceed successfully.
While *Trap
takes creative liberties with the details of Operation Flagship, it offers a thrilling adaptation of the real-life events, adding a unique twist to Shyamalan's repertoire of suspenseful storytelling. The film promises to be a captivating blend of reality and fiction, reminding audiences that even the most absurd scenarios can be inspired by real-life events.
