Mikes Film Talk

Director Michael Dowse gives us the 2025 film Trap House. It feels like a a DEA 21 Jump Street plot, in reverse. The film is about a DEA team and their offspring. Of course it is also about a trap house. [Oxford Dictionary INFORMAL US ENGLISH] a place where illegal drugs are sold. These places are also full of drug trade cash. This is an almost frantically paced action thriller that almost screams to a conclusion.

Is it a tad convoluted? Yes. Does it entertain? Yes and no. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a scant 50% critic score and only 35% audience score. IMDb.com rates the film at 5.4 out of 10. This interesting premise, borrowing a bit from the aforementioned “Jump Street” works but it is not blazingly original.

The Story

A DEA team targets trap houses; they use the funds to bolster their operating costs. During one bust, a sniper kills one of their own. This sets off a chain of events that endangers everyone. As the team closes in on another “team” stealing drug money, they learn that their children are pulling the jobs.

The Main Cast

Dave Bautista is Ray Seale.

Jack Champion is Cody Seale.

Bobby Cannavale is Andre Washburn.

Sophia Lillis is Deni Matthews.

Kate del Castillo is Natalia Cabrera.

Tony Dalton is Benito Cabrera.

Whitney Peak is Yvonne Reynolds.

Inde Navarrette is Teresa Flores.

Zaire Adams is Kyle Albright.

Blu del Barrio is Jesse Padillo.

Let’s Talk Trap House

Co-writers Gary Scott Thompson and Tom O’Connor give us a screenplay that actually delivers a lot. The story itself is interesting. However, the film ends on an overly optimistic note. While the whole thing entertains, it does feel like a backwards riff on 21/22 Jump Street; without the laughs. *If you are old enough to remember the television series, there was a few comedic moments amidst all that drama. The device of having a “student” infiltrate the opposition, is pure “Jump Street.” You will think of it immediately about midway through the film. IYKYK.*

Despite the somewhat convoluted storyline, the actual story is a bit simplistic. That could just be my take on the film, everyone knows that “cop’s kids” are usually, no pun intended, problem children. *Similar to the local preacher’s kids being naughty rather than nice.*

It Works

After a fashion, Trap House works. All the players, from Bautista down to “IT girl” Lillis, give their all. Kudos, by the way to Inde Navarrette as Teresa. She sells it completely as the new “girlfriend.” Side note: If there was ever a face that could launch a 1000 ships, Navarrette’s could.*

The action scenes pulse and look doggone good. Although, apparently, Dave Bautista is one busy chap on the film front. He seems to be in practically everything at the moment. The appearance of Cannavale helps, he is a favourite. The young actors portraying the DEA offspring are also very good. Casting is pretty much King and Queen in movie land an these choices all rocked.

The Verdict

Trap House is not as bad as both IMDb.com and Rotten Tomatoes would have us believe. As an action/crime film, it ticks the boxes and moves along snappily. We can give it a solid 3.5 stars out of 5. The runtime of 101 minutes is just right. Although, had the film gone on little longer, it might have opted for a different ending. One that could have been more fitting. This is streaming on Netflix right now. Check it out, pop some corn, grab a beer or a soda, and enjoy.

The Trailer