In her latest project, Saleka Shyamalan steps into a unique dual role—both on screen as a character and behind the scenes as a musician. The daughter of renowned filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, Saleka takes on the role of Lady Raven in Trap, a psychological thriller starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, and Alison Pill that seamlessly blends suspense with a deep musical narrative. In an exclusive interview with Outtake Magazine, Saleka opened up about the challenges and rewards of this project, her inspirations, and what it’s like to work with her father on such a personal film.
When asked what initially excited her about the role, Saleka’s enthusiasm for the musical elements was immediately evident. “Music, for sure,” she said. “I really love writing for film and TV, and obviously reading the script, you know, my dad really incorporated the music into everything. It’s very intertwined with the narrative, not only in Lady Raven’s character but also in Cooper’s [Hartnett] character, as he’s kind of observing it and having his own emotional journey towards it.”
Saleka explained that each song in the film was crafted specifically for key scenes, allowing the music to evolve alongside the storyline. “At the beginning, it’s more light-hearted and doesn’t have to be as dark. But then, as the movie goes on, the suspense becomes more intense, and the characters are going through crazier things, so the music has to match that.”
Creating the persona of Lady Raven required blending Saleka’s musical influences and the character’s unique identity. Drawing inspiration from a wide array of artists, Saleka described how she channelled elements from Adele’s stage presence, Rosalía’s fusion of flamenco and pop, and Rihanna’s boldness. Even Taylor Swift’s influence was considered, given the near-fanaticism which her fans displayed over the singer-songwriter’s Eras tour.
And while the music was rooted in Saleka’s own style—encompassing jazz, R&B, and Indian influences—the acting required her to step outside her comfort zone. “It’s very natural to play things in the way that you would play them, especially because it’s so close to home,” she admitted. “But the character doesn’t act the way that I would act in those situations. She’s much more assertive, bold, confident… so trying to step into those shoes was the challenge of every single scene.”
Saleka’s role in Trap didn’t stop at singing and songwriting. She also had to master choreography for a number of on-screen stage performances. “We had so much fun with the choreography,” she said, noting that working with a choreographer opened another path into getting to know her character. “For me, it was almost like shooting a music video for 10 songs in a row.”
This being Saleka’s first time acting on screen, the experience was both daunting and exhilarating. Despite her initial nerves, she found comfort in the collaborative atmosphere on set. “I felt very protected and safe,” she reflected. “The acting component really felt like a natural extension of the music.”
And of course, working with her father, M. Night Shyamalan, added a personal dimension to the project. The film was inspired by the director’s experiences backstage at Saleka’s concerts, making the story a fusion of their creative worlds. “The idea came from conversations between us about how we could bring film and music together in a grounded way,” Saleka explained. “He’s such a good dad. He comes with me to shows just to watch, and he’s always with me backstage. So, he’s observed that environment many times and found it fascinating.”
As for what the future holds, Saleka remains open to continuing in both the music and film industries. While music is her primary passion, she’s intrigued by the idea of taking on more acting roles. “I really loved it,” she said. “I’m very excited about whatever projects may come in the future.”
With her father’s guidance and her own creative instincts, Saleka Shyamalan has carved out a unique space for herself in Trap, offering audiences a deeply immersive experience that marries music and suspense in a way that only the Shyamalan family could achieve.
Trap releases in cinemas from August 9th. Watch the trailer below: