Two serial killers and a muse with a pixie cut walk into a bar … no, it’s not the start of a lame joke; they’re just characters in some of Prime Video’s new movies in September that Watch With Us can’t wait to stream.
In Trap, Josh Hartnett plays a devoted dad who also happens to be a serial killer trying to wiggle his way out of an elaborate sting operation at a local pop concert.
The other notable killer on this list is perhaps the most famous one in cinematic history — Michael Myers. In Halloween II, he continues to stalk Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode even while she’s recovering in a hospital.
In The Muse, Sharon Stone’s titular character inspires a writer to create the best screenplay of his life while making his personal life a living hell.
‘Trap’ (2024)
Two contradictory things can be true at the same time. Take Cooper Abbott (Josh Hartnett), for example — he’s a respected Philadelphia fireman who loves his teenage daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue) so much that he accompanies her to a sold-out Lady Raven (Saleka Night Shyamalan) concert filled with screaming fans. He’s also The Butcher, a cold-blooded serial killer who is about to claim another victim after the concert. But may not be able to after he finds out the FBI has secured the arena where the concert is being held. They know The Butcher is there, but they don’t know Conner is the killer they’re looking for. Now Cooper has to find a way to escape the trap that’s been laid out for him without letting his daughter find out who he really is.
If a movie has a good enough premise, it can work purely on that alone, and that’s the case with Trap. For its first hour, when it’s set largely at Lady Raven’s concern, the film is a top-notch thriller that gradually increases the stakes as the authorities get closer and closer to getting their man. It’s only when Trap leaves the concert that the film kinda falls apart, and all you can see are its glaring plot holes. (For example, Lady Raven is conveniently accessible and helpful to further the plot along.) Still, Trap’s strength outweighs its flaws, and it’s a hoot to see Hartnett use his pretty-boy looks to play a ruthless killer who is also a great dad.
Trap is streaming on Prime Video.
‘The Muse’ (1999)
Steven Phillips (Albert Brooks) is a successful screenwriter whose creative well has run dry. Desperate for help, he seeks advice from Sarah (Sharon Stone), a modern-day muse who has inspired famous creatives like directors Martin Scorsese and James Cameron. She’ll help Steven, but her price is so high that Steven suggests she move in with him and his frustrated wife, Laura (Andie MacDowell), to save money. While Steven’s bank account breathes a huge sigh of relief, his marriage takes a hit as Sarah inspires Laura to pursue her own dreams. Steven may get what he wished for, but he didn’t expect his dream-come-true to turn into an unexpected domestic nightmare.
The Muse is a polite Hollywood satire that playfully skewers the creative process. If you’ve wondered how creative types like Steven get their ideas, this film answers it by suggesting Sarah is either a truly divine inspiration or a mentally unbalanced woman who thinks she’s a gift from the gods. Brooks, who also co-wrote the screenplay and directed the film, gives the film the light touch it needs — it’s a comedy that floats slightly above the ground. Best known for erotic thrillers like Basic Instinct, Stone gets a rare moment to shine in a purely comedic role. Sarah may have diva-like demands, but Stone makes her so damn fun, you don’t see the problem with Steven footing the bill for her countless pricey Tiffany purchases.
The Muse is streaming on Prime Video.
‘Halloween II’ (1981)
Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is having a terrible Halloween. Three of her friends have been brutally murdered, and the guy who did it, Michael Myers, got away. She’s stuck recovering in a nearly empty hospital filled with inept security guards and horny nurses, and she has a sneaky suspicion her night of terror isn’t over. She’s right — Michael is still after her, and he has a mysterious reason why he wants her dead. Only Michael’s ex-shrink, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence), can save her, but he has to find her first, and Michael isn’t willing to give up until he gets what he wants.
Halloween was an instant masterpiece when it was released in 1978, so any follow-up would inevitably pale in comparison. Taken on its own, though, Halloween II is a well-made, creepily effective slasher picture, with plenty of inventive kills, a spruced-up electronic score that sets the mood just right and moments that make you go, “Eek!” Curtis doesn’t have a lot to do except for stumbling around in an unflattering wig and hospital gown, but she still makes Laurie a final girl you want to see again and again.
Halloween II is streaming on Prime Video.
