‘Trap House’ Review: Dave Bautista Deserves a Better Starring Vehicle

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I have to say, I’ve been so impressed with Dave Bautista ever since his charming and hilarious role in Guardians of the Galaxy. He really deserves all the praise he’s gotten as an actor. It’s wonderful how he can be so thoughtful and calm on screen – it’s a bit unexpected, considering he’s a large, tattooed guy with a background as a professional wrestler! But he’s so much more than just a surprise; he’s a truly empathetic and talented performer, and it’s a joy to watch him work.

Dave Bautista is a talented actor who’s proven himself in supporting roles in films like Blade Runner 2049 and Knock at the Cabin. However, the movies where he’s the lead haven’t always showcased his abilities, and unfortunately, Trap House is one of them. While Bautista delivers a reliable performance, the film’s weak story and character don’t give him much to work with, making it hard to get invested.

Dave Bautista plays Ray Seale, a DEA agent in El Paso, Texas. The story centers around Ray’s son and the teenage children of his colleagues, who are all friends in high school. They have to keep their parents’ dangerous jobs a secret to avoid putting themselves and their families at risk from drug cartels. When a fellow agent is killed, Ray’s son, Cody (Jack Champion), leads his friends to take matters into their own hands. They start stealing from the local cartel to raise money for their friend Jesse (Blu del Barrio), whose father was the agent who died. The film relies on the idea that these teenagers have surprisingly easy access to their parents’ guns, equipment, and sensitive information, which implies the agents are careless and unprofessional.

The film tackles an over-the-top premise with a surprisingly serious tone from the beginning. This creates a disconnect, as the story feels like it could have benefited from a more stylized and energetic approach – especially knowing things will eventually go wrong for the characters. Director Michael Dowse (who previously worked with Dave Bautista in Stuber) seems determined to ground the film in reality, showing graphic violence to emphasize the danger. However, the core idea never feels believable, leading to a frustrating cycle: Trap House is too outlandish to be truly taken seriously, but too earnest to be genuinely entertaining. Instead of becoming campy and fun, it ends up feeling surprisingly flat and uninspired.


AURA Entertainment

The movie feels strangely like we’re jumping into a sequel, where the characters, now older, are finally getting their own story. The beginning feels hurried, and we don’t get enough time to connect with Ray and Cody’s everyday lives before Cody starts his risky plan. Relationships feel underdeveloped, and even emotional moments, like Ray’s funeral speech – complete with the tired line, “He was the best of us” – fall flat because we barely knew the character who died. It’s hard to feel invested when we haven’t been given a reason to care!

Gary Scott Thompson, who co-wrote the first two Fast & Furious movies, co-wrote this script with Tom O’Connor. If the film could capture some of the fun, heartfelt spirit of those Fast & Furious films, it might work, but it feels forced in its attempt to be realistic. It doesn’t really push any boundaries, and the plot twist is incredibly predictable. However, the reveal does get a chuckle thanks to one character’s dramatic change of clothes, clearly signaling their new identity.

The film features a strong cast, led by Bautista, though many talented actors aren’t given much to do, including Bobby Cannavale as Ray’s DEA partner and friend. Tony Dalton from Better Call Saul and Kate del Castillo from The Cleaning Lady play the leaders of the drug cartel, and while their characters could have been developed further, they offer a fresh dynamic. Bautista is joined by a likable group of friends-turned-robbers, played by Whitney Peak, Zaire Adams, and Sophia Lillis, though seeing Lillis made me wish she was reprising her role in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.


AURA Entertainment

Jack Champion, a strong performer in films like Avatar: The Way of Water and Scream VI, doesn’t quite succeed in his role as Cody. While Cody shares the spotlight with Ray throughout the story, he feels underdeveloped, making it difficult for the audience to connect with him.

The movie ends with a hint at a sequel, but it feels unlikely audiences would be excited for another story with these characters. While I often wish Dave Bautista appeared in better films, it’s worth remembering he also produced this one and was heavily involved in getting it made. It’s probably difficult for him to find leading roles, as Hollywood tends to typecast actors, despite his proven talent. Hopefully, he’ll get opportunities to star in better movies in the future, because he’s a much better actor than Trap House suggests!

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2025-11-14 18:35