Read previewDirector M. Night Shyamalan's new thriller, "Trap," is filled with twists and turns, but its premise is grounded in a real-life sting operation that took place in the '80s. Here's how the sting operation partly inspired Shyamalan's film. Related storiesAccording to The Washington Post, Operation Sting led to 144 arrests. Shyamalan said that the sting operation was 'hilarious' and the absurdity of the fakeout stuck with himHartnett as Cooper and Donoghue as Riley in "Trap." "Trap" isn't a comedy by any means, but the dark humor of Operation Flagship informed the movie.

---

Persons: —, Josh Hartnett, Cooper, Riley, Ariel Donoghue, Lady Raven, Shyamalan's, Saleka, Bernie Boston, Sting, Shyamalan, Hartnett, Donoghue, Sabrina Lantos, Lambs, Taylor, Dexerto Organizations: Service, Business, Flagship, DC, US, Washington Redskins, International Sports Television, Fugitive, Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Convention Center, Special Operations, The Washington, Warner Bros, Empire, FBI Locations: Washington