In a surprising turn this March, the Ridley Scott Dave Bautista thriller, Trap House, has climbed to the No. 2 spot on Netflix just days after its February 27 release on the platform. The film, which follows a limited theatrical run, has found newfound success with streaming audiences, capturing attention across Netflix subscribers nationwide.
The Unexpected Streaming Success of Trap House
Although Trap House did not make a significant impact during its theatrical release—with box office earnings totaling only $126,039—the movie is now enjoying a second life on streaming platforms. Originally debuting on Prime Video in January, it surged to dominate before moving to Netflix, where it quickly earned a place among the most-watched titles. As of March 2, the film sits at No. 2 on Netflix’s popularity chart, rivaled only by Scarlett Johansson’s Jurassic Park: Rebirth, which arrived on Netflix shortly before.
Despite Trap House not reaching the heights of Ridley Scott’s iconic films such as Alien, Blade Runner, or Gladiator, its strong presence among viewers indicates an appetite for the thriller starring Bautista. Discussions of expanding the movie into a franchise, spearheaded by Bautista himself, seem unlikely at this point, given its underwhelming theatrical performance.
A Close Call in Production: How Trap House Came Together
Trap House centers on Dave Bautista’s character, DEA agent Ray Seale, who struggles to repair his relationship with his son, Cody Seale, played by Jack Champion, known for his role in Avatar. The cast also includes Sophia Lillis from the IT franchise, and Bobby Cannavale, notable for works like Ant-Man and Boardwalk Empire, providing strong support across roles.
However, the production faced significant hurdles before filming began. The original director left only weeks before shooting, putting the project at risk. Bautista managed to bring Michael Dowse on board to direct, reuniting with him after their previous work on Stuber. This late director change caused a rush in the shoot schedule.
“First of all, I have to say Michael wasn’t set to direct this film. We lost our director, like, weeks before. We had been trying to make this film for years, but the reason we couldn’t do it is that my schedule had just gotten so tight,”
Dave Bautista told MovieWeb.
“But we found a very small window where we could make the film, and an even smaller window where I could actually be in the film. We had to condense my shooting days by weeks, like two and a half weeks.”
– Dave Bautista, Actor
Admitting the Rush: Bautista Reflects on Trap House’s Challenges
The accelerated timeline significantly impacted the movie’s coherence and execution, as even Bautista acknowledges. When the original director’s departure jeopardized the project, Bautista immediately reached out to Dowse to save the production.
“So losing our director was like — it was a knife in the heart. We were all just in a really bad spot. I called Mike and said, ‘I’m in a bad spot, man, and we need a good director.'”
“And he jumped all over it — didn’t hesitate; he took it, hit the ground running, and came. He was a boss, man. I knew that about him, which is why I called him.”
– Dave Bautista, Actor
While the film’s theatrical run faltered, it has still managed to resonate with viewers via streaming platforms, particularly Netflix. This recent surge follows Bautista’s other streaming successes earlier this year, such as The Wrecking Crew, co-starring Jason Momoa, which also captured audience interest coming into 2026.
Main Cast of Trap House
- Dave Bautista as Ray Seale
- Jack Champion as Cody Seale
- Sophia Lillis as Deni Matthews
- Whitney Peak as Yvonne Reynolds
The ensemble cast combines strong performances from rising stars and established actors, which has helped sustain viewer engagement despite the film’s turbulent production and initial release.
The Ridley Scott Dave Bautista thriller’s trajectory underscores how streaming platforms can revive films that struggle in cinemas, proving that audience reception can shift dramatically post-theatrical release. As Trap House continues to gain momentum on Netflix, it highlights the evolving landscape of film distribution and the potential for titles to find their audience beyond traditional box office measures.
