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Trap House Opens Friday, With Critics Praising Bautista and Questioning the Tone

Bautista says he kept the story from going too dark to preserve a teen‑adventure spirit.

Overview

  • The action film follows teens who target cartel stash houses, putting their undercover DEA parents at risk.
  • Theatrical release is set for Friday, November 14, with early reviews highlighting Dave Bautista’s grounded turn as a standout.
  • Critics from outlets including The Hollywood Reporter and JoBlo cite an uneven mix of teen caper energy and gritty cartel drama, with the screenplay drawing the sharpest criticism.
  • Bautista confirms the project lost its original director and that he recruited Michael Dowse, his Stuber collaborator, to direct.
  • In an interview, Bautista says he pushed back on darker script drafts to balance peril with fun and views the concept as having franchise potential led by Jack Champion’s character.