Trap House Reviews Call It 2025’s ‘Biggest Surprise’ 

Initial reviews for Trap House have shown a mixed critical response, though some critics have described the action film as an enjoyable surprise. Directed by Michael Dowse and led by Dave Bautista, the thriller has drawn attention for its intense action and high-stakes moments. Scheduled for release in the United States on November 14, 2025, Trap House has already generated considerable anticipation among fans of the action star.

What critics are saying about Trap House in reviews 

Trap House has received a wide range of reactions in reviews, resulting in an overall mixed critical response to the action thriller film. While several critics praised the film’s performances, others raised concerns about the film’s story and structure.

Nicholas Brooks of CBR wrote, “Trap House has all the trappings of a fun, rewatchable action movie: shootouts, big explosions, and high stakes.” He commended Dave Bautista’s work as Ray Seale and highlighted supporting performances from Bobby Cannavale, Sophia Lillis, Whitney Peak, and Zaire Adams. Brooks added that beyond the action, the film attempts to explore themes of family bonds, fear, adolescence, and personal loss.

Calling the film the “biggest surprises to come this year,” he concluded, “Ultimately, Trap House is a well-balanced movie that occasionally struggles to get its tone across.”

The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck focused primarily on Bautista, crediting the actor for keeping the film engaging. He wrote, “While the actor [Bautista] has demonstrated that he’s fully capable of more ambitious assignments, he handles his prosaic chores here very well and even manages to provide some emotional depth to his character. Nonetheless, it’s a losing battle, with the plot inanities piling on rapidly.”

Scheck credited director Michael Dowse for competent action scenes, but remarked that the film’s structure and tone are inconsistent.

Collider’s Shawn Van Horn gave a similarly mixed view. He wrote, “The plot of Trap House is a bit far-fetched, and if you’re going to enjoy it, you have to let it go.” Overall, he labeled the film enjoyable but limiting for its lead star.

Meanwhile, Flickering Myth’s Robert Kojder was more critical. He wrote, “Wasting a rather genius socioeconomically poignant premise, director Michael Dowse’s Trap House (from a screenplay by Gary Scott Thompson and Tom O’Connor) gradually slides into generic thriller stupidity, complete with obvious eye-rolling betrayals and obnoxious characterization.”

Source: Comingsoon.net