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Trap and the 4 best horror movies starring Josh Hartnett

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Trap and the 4 best horror movies starring Josh Hartnett

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for nostalgia, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement when I see Josh Hartnett making a comeback to the horror genre. Having grown up watching him in classics like “The Virgin Suicides” and “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later,” his performances have left an indelible mark on my gaming memories.

Despite Josh Hartnett not formally taking a break from acting, it had been quite some time since he was seen in major films or popular television series. It wasn’t until 2023 that viewers began to notice the 46-year-old actor once more, with roles in Netflix’s season 6 of Black Mirror and Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning film Oppenheimer.

It’s truly captivating to witness Hartnett’s recent surge in popularity, as he holds a significant spot in my heart. This isn’t just because he starred in one of my cherished films, “The Virgin Suicides,” but also due to his impressive performances in the horror genre. While he may have gained recognition for films like “Black Hawk Down” and “Lucky Number Slevin,” Hartnett is undeniably a seasoned prodigy in the realm of horror movies as well.

As a huge fan, I can’t help but reflect on the chilling performances of actor Jared Padalecki, particularly after his gripping portrayal of Cooper in M. Night Shyamalan’s latest thriller, Trap. With that in mind, let’s take a trip down memory lane and highlight some of his best horror movie roles to date.

Trap

In one of the most chilling horror flicks of this summer, titled “Trap“, is set to hit theaters on Aug. 2, 2024. The plot revolves around a father-daughter duo: Cooper and his daughter Riley, who are music enthusiasts, eagerly attending a major arena concert featuring their beloved pop star, Lady Raven. As the show progresses, Cooper becomes uneasy due to an unusual presence of police officers and security personnel. In conversation with a merchandise vendor, he learns that the FBI has orchestrated a sting operation targeting a notorious serial killer known as “The Butcher”, who had purchased tickets for this very concert.

Clearly worried, Cooper steps up to safeguard his most valuable possessions. Given that M. Night Shyamalan wrote and directed this film, it comes as no shock that Trap has sparked a lot of disagreement among viewers. Personally, I found it an entertaining journey that’s worth watching if you can approach it lightheartedly. Hartnett delivers an outstanding performance and demonstrates a wide range of acting skills in the leading role.

WHERE TO WATCH: Exclusively in theaters

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

While not every film within the series is flawless, I consider the Halloween movie franchise to be my all-time favorite slasher collection. The movie Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, directed by Steve Miner, brings back a lot of heartwarming nostalgia for me. It was released in the year 1998.

In the seventh film of the Halloween saga, serving as a direct sequel to Halloween II, it also signifies the first major role for actor Hartnett. He portrays Laurie Strode’s son John, a high school student who balances his time between socializing with friends and soothing an overly cautious mother. Unbeknownst to him, Laurie is actually Michael Myers’ sister, making this the infamous film where he returns for her. With its chilling scenes, unforeseen twists, and classic ’90s horror elements, Halloween: H20 offers a delightful contribution to the series.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Pluto TV

30 Days of Night

Drawing inspiration from its namesake comic book, the 2007 vampire film titled “30 Days of Night” was directed by David Slade. In this movie, Josh Hartnett portrays the sheriff of an Alaskan town anticipating the approaching polar night, a span of 30 days without sunlight. During these long, dark nights, bloodsucking creatures emerge and commence their reign of terror, forcing the townsfolk to unite for survival. Although not flawless, this film excels at delivering chilling, atmospheric horror and offers several pulse-racing scenes that keep viewers hooked.

WHERE TO WATCH: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.59

The Faculty

You can watch it streaming on Paramount+, or on Amazon Prime Video with a Paramount+ add-on, or on Hulu with the Paramount+ With Showtime add-on.

Wicker Park

2004 saw my personal favorite, Paul McGuigan’s initial release, Wicker Park – a gripping reimagining of the 1996 movie L’Appartement. This thriller starred the talented trio of Hartnett, Diane Kruger, and Rose Byrne. In this tale, I found myself engrossed as a man named Matt grappled with the disappearance of his girlfriend Lisa, who had vanished two years prior. After revisiting Chicago with my new fiancée, a strange encounter at a restaurant stirred memories of Lisa, reigniting my obsession. As events unfolded, I was drawn deeper into a maze of intrigue as I pursued the truth about her disappearance. The plot thickened as I crossed paths with a woman claiming to be Lisa, but bearing little resemblance to the woman I once knew.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Tubi, Pluto TV, MGM+, Amazon Prime Video with the MGM+ add-on

Which Josh Hartnett horror movie will you be watching this weekend?

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2024-08-11 00:25

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