Trap’s Post-Credits Scene Explained

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Trap!

M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap does include a post-credits scene, and here’s a full breakdown of what happens, what it means, and more. The 2024 psychological thriller is a return to original storytelling for the accomplished director. Trap‘s twisty story revolves around Cooper (Josh Hartnett) and his attempts to evade capture while with his daughter at a concert, which is staged as a trap for law enforcement to catch The Butcher. Since Cooper is The Butcher, the movie follows him learning the truth behind the concert’s intent and doing anything he can to remain free.

Since Trap does not seem like the start of a new M. Night Shyamalan franchise on paper, it would be understandable to assume that there is nothing after the credits begin. This is not the case, though. Trap does have a post-credits scene that occurs during the middle of the credits. The mid-credits scene gives Shyamalan a chance to briefly continue the story and bring back a familiar character.

Trap’s Mid-Credits Scene Shows Jamie Learning Who The Butcher Is

He’s Shocked About Cooper

Those who watch Trap in theaters or on streaming and stick around for the post-credits scene are reunited with Jamie (Jonathan Langdon). Jamie is the worker at the concert venue who initially is responsible for telling Cooper about the secret true purpose of the event. He does so unknowing that Cooper is The Butcher. Trap‘s mid-credits scene picks up after the events of Trap‘s ending and shows Jamie watching the news reports about the FBI apprehending The Butcher.

While Jamie knew that The Butcher was caught, he was still unaware that Cooper was the wanted serial killer. It is only once the news report shows the face and real name of The Butcher that he learns the truth and is shocked. Trap‘s post-credits scene ends after Jamie makes a brief comment about the arrest and The Butcher’s identity.

Trap’s Mid-Credits Scene Does Not Set Up A Sequel

It’s A Comedic Scene

Shyamalan’s decision to include this bit as Trap‘s mid-credits scene is not meant to set up a sequel. Although that is the primary purpose of many post-credits scenes, they can otherwise be used for comedic effect or to pay off other small storylines. That is what Shyamalan is going for with Trap, as Jamie’s realization that he interacted with The Butcher and even tipped him off to the true purpose of the concert is quite funny as it unfolds. The scene is purely meant to leave audiences with an extra comedic bit.

Just because Trap‘s post-credits scene does not set up a sequel, that does not mean that it is completely out of the equation. Shyamalan has made a sequel to one movie that did not include any credits scenes. The chances of a Trap sequel happening that could continue Cooper’s life as The Butcher will likely depend on the film’s reception and box office performance. Even if that does happen, though, the tag with Jamie is unlikely to be directly relevant to what could come next.

Trap’s Post-Credits Scene Is Rare For M. Night Shyamalan Movies

He Tends To Avoid Credit Tags

The fact that Trap includes a post-credits scene of any kind is quite surprising, as Shyamalan does not typically do them. Out of every M. Night Shyamalan movie, this is only the third time that he’s included something in the credits. He didn’t use any for the first 11 movies of his career, breaking the streak with Split‘s post-credits scene. That one proved to be monumental, as Bruce Willis’ cameo confirmed a connection to Unbreakable and set up Glass. The only other example is an audible tease during Knock at the Cabin‘s credits.

Now, Trap has become only the second of Shyamalan’s films to include a legitimate credits scene. It is nowhere near as exciting or mind-blowing as what he pulled off with Split, but that was never the intention. That might be a good thing since audiences are not used to sitting through the credits of Shyamalan movies to see post-credits footage. Trap‘s mid-credits scene is fun and a good final note, but anyone who misses it will not be left out of a major revelation or a surprise twist.

M. Night Shyamalan Did Not Plan Trap’s After-Credits Scene

He Came Up With It On Set

The reason why Trap‘s post-credits scene is more comedic than being responsible for setting up another movie is due to its creation. Shyamalan did not have the credits scene written into the original script, nor did he know that he wanted to shoot it during principal photography. While the director is typically very structured in his filmmaking approach, he told Gizmodo about how Trap‘s credits scene came to be while talking to Jonathan Langdon on set.

Shyamalan confirmed that he only decided to film the scene after mentioning to Langdon how great it would be to see something else happen to Jamie. Instead of leaving it as just a fun idea, he decided to have the crew set up what was needed and shoot the scene whenever he had an hour or two to spare. Since Shyamalan noted that Langdon “was doing such an incredible job” with his limited scenes before, there’s a good chance Trap wouldn’t have had a post-credits scene if another actor was in the role or if that conversation never happened.

Source: Gizmodo

Trap

Release Date

August 2, 2024

Cast

Josh Hartnett , Hayley Mills , Marnie McPhail , Vanessa Smythe , Saleka Shyamalan , Malik Jubal , Jonathan Langdon , Peter D’Souza , Ty Pravong , Kaitlyn Dallan