Netflix Thriller 'The Trap' Offers Intrigue but Confusing Storytelling
The German series generally entertains with its cat-and-mouse premise but falters in its narrative execution.
Netflix's new German thriller, 'The Trap,' presents a compelling premise about a reclusive author seeking to implicate a journalist she believes murdered her sister, but its narrative choices can be confusing, according to a review from Stream It Or Skip It.
The series centers on Lisa Wilking (Friederike Becht), who has lived in isolation for nearly a decade after finding her sister Anna (Josephine Thiesen) murdered. Now a successful author writing under the pseudonym Lisa Konrad, Lisa's secluded life is disrupted when she sees a journalist, Robert Lenzen (Hans Löw), whom she identifies as "The Monster" from the night of her sister's death. Convinced of his guilt, Lisa contacts Detective Leon Weber (Michael Klammer), who is dismissive due to Lisa's past unsubstantiated claims.
To gather proof, Lisa devises a plan to write a new novel, a roman à clef about a murdered painter named Sophie (Miriam Ohlmeyer). She intends to lure Lenzen to her home under the pretense of an interview, during which she plans to obtain a DNA sample. This cat-and-mouse dynamic is reminiscent of other Netflix thrillers, such as Harlan Coben's series.
While Becht's portrayal of Lisa's paranoia is noted as a strong performance that draws viewers into her conviction, the series' storytelling is flagged as a significant drawback. The review points out that instead of true flashbacks to Lisa's experiences after her sister's murder, the series incorporates scenes featuring Sophie, the character in Lisa's novel. These scenes, involving the actress playing Sophie and Detective Weber, can blur the lines between reality and fiction, especially since the actors portraying Sophie and Lisa bear a resemblance and Detective Weber is played by the same actor in both timelines. This narrative choice is seen as unnecessarily complicating a premise that could stand on its own.
Despite these storytelling complexities, 'The Trap' is generally considered an enjoyable watch due to its inherent tension and the exploration of Lisa's psyche. The review suggests that the show's core concept is strong enough to keep viewers engaged, though it expresses a wish for cleaner and more straightforward narrative execution.
'The Trap' is available for streaming on Netflix.