DEA Drama Turns High School Adventure in 'Trap House'

You thought being a DEA agent was tough, didn't you? After all, the pay is mediocre, the job itself is risky, and you've got to put up with less-than-stellar working conditions. Now imagine your kid and his buddies going all 'Mission Impossible' on local drug lords. That's the unexpected twist that greets DEA agent Ray, played by Dave Bautista, in the new action-packed thriller, 'Trap House'.

In this laugh-out-loud spectacle directed by the ever-creative Michael Dowse, Ray's son and his high school friends take on a drug cartel to avenge a friend's loss and support his widowed mother. If that doesn't give DEA Dad enough of a headache, they even pinch their parents' work equipment - including night vision goggles and beanbag shotguns - for their daredevil escapades.

We can't help but doff our hats to Bautista's 'larger-than-life' charisma that makes this offshore concept film surprisingly palatable. Known for his versatility, Bautista brings an emotional depth to his character, Ray, as he struggles to balance a demanding career with fatherhood after losing his wife.

Bobby Cannavale, though under-utilized, joins the mix as Andre, Ray's jovial partner. The two band together to lead an initial raid on a gas station-cum-secret-tunnel to Mexico, which unfortunately ends in the loss of an agent. Ironically, the agent’s son is a classmate of Ray's son Cody, paving the way for their youthful, anything-but-ordinary adventures.

In the course of their escapades, the kids rub the wrong side of cartel boss Benito (Tony Dalton of Better Call Saul fame) and his even nastier sister Natalia. Soon, their schoolboy shenanigans metamorphose into a full-blown game of "Cat and Mouse" with the Mexican cartel- a plot that becomes even more gripping when young love is thrown into the mix.

Our high school heroes' adventure sees the film traversing through action and comedy, leaving audiences with a uniquely 'Trap House' experience. Although the lines often blur between thriller and comedy and the sequel tease gives us a good chuckle, we can't help but admire this eccentric, optimistic gem in the world of film.

While the film dips its toe in both comedy and serious action, Trap House primarily ends up on the grittier side, teetering on incoherence at times. Nevertheless, the oddly enticing premise, quick pace, and multi-layered characters make for a riveting watch, and the hinted possibility of a sequel promises even more toe-curling DEA kid-ventures!