Trap House is an action thriller movie directed by Michael Dowse and written by Gary Scott Thompson & Tom O’Connor. The film stars Dave Bautista, Jack Champion, Sophia Lillis, Tony Dalton, Whitney Peak, Bobby Cannavale, Kate del Castillo, and others.
The story is set in El Paso, Texas, where an undercover DEA agent and his partner discover that their own teenage children have begun robbing a dangerous cartel—using their parents’ tactics and classified intel.
Trap House is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on November 14, 2025. The film will be released by Aura Entertainment.
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When and Where Was Trap House Filmed?
| Film Name | Trap House |
|---|---|
| Genres | Action, Thriller |
| Filming Locations | Albuquerque, New Mexico (and surrounding areas) |
| Filming Dates | Principal photography began April 1, 2024 |
| Cinematography by | Matt Flannery |
| Release Date | November 14, 2025 |
Principal photography for Trap House began on April 1, 2024 and took place in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although the story is set in Texas, the production used New Mexico locations to stand in for the required American setting.
📍Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
This was the main hub for shooting Trap House. The diverse landscapes—desert outskirts, urban settings, and more rural surroundings—gave the filmmakers flexibility to portray various environments required by the script.
Because the film’s narrative is supposed to take place in El Paso, the production had to creatively match architecture, terrain, and local color in New Mexico to give the illusion of the Texas border region.
Albuquerque, framed by the Sandia Mountains and bisected by the Rio Grande, carries the warm, rich history of the Southwest in its adobe walls. The spirit of its diverse community truly shines during the spectacular annual Balloon Fiesta, a global gathering that fills the high desert sky with color and wonder. Beyond the spectacle, it’s a friendly city where local flavor—from the “red or green?” chile query to the charm of Old Town—offers a genuinely authentic New Mexico welcome.
📍Lamy Chapel, New Mexico, USA
Address: 1297 Bishops Lodge Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87506, United States
The historic Lamy Chapel in Lamy, New Mexico, also served as a notable filming site for Trap House. The chapel’s rustic architecture and serene surroundings added an emotional depth to the movie’s key moments.
This location was used for filming several dramatic scenes involving the DEA agents and the cartel’s confrontation. Its quiet, desert-adjacent environment made it a fitting backdrop for the movie’s tense, high-stakes sequences. The unique aesthetic of the chapel area helped the filmmakers capture the small-town essence crucial to the plot.
Trap House Behind the Scenes
Within Albuquerque, one specific shooting spot was Elena Gallegos Kiwanis Shelter, which reportedly featured in certain scenes:-
As per New Mexico Film Office reports, during production, the filmmakers worked heavily with the New Mexico Film Office, which officially announced the shoot and facilitated local support. Over 100 people from New Mexico (crews, background talent) were employed in the project.
Because the movie deals with cartel-related crime and action sequences, some sets and scenes required blending urban, remote, and desert settings—something New Mexico’s terrain allowed easily.
Is There a Trailer Available for Trap House?
Yes — the official trailer (or preview) has been released. You can find it on YouTube and here:-
FAQs
Q1: Where was Trap House filmed?
A1: Most of the filming was done in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Q2: Why didn’t they film in El Paso, Texas (the story’s setting)?
A2: Filmmakers often use more film-friendly locations that offer tax incentives, easier permitting, and varied landscapes. New Mexico has a well-established film infrastructure.
Q3: When did the filming begin?
A3: Principal photography began on April 1, 2024.
Q4: Who is the cinematographer for the film?
A4: The cinematography is by Matt Flannery.