By Mahnoosh Arsalan and Molly Tursi
Staff Writers
In a world where people in authority have been repeatedly exposed for deviant and perverted behavior, the younger generation has become completely desensitized to just how insidious these threats are. While that kind of heavy subject matter remains taboo for discussion, the art of film helps communicate these stories to elicit strong emotions and criticism of the ancient evil that survives today: pedophilia.
Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime,” released to theaters on Sept. 25, tells the story of Chris Hansen’s reality crime show “To Catch a Predator” and how it came to an abrupt end. Starring Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever and Skyler Gisondo, the film portrays the drama behind the final episodes of the show and the interpersonal lives of those involved.
The movie was produced for just $15 million and generated $19.2 million across its opening weekend, according to IndieWire. Pattinson produced the movie under A24, along with horror auteur Ari Aster, who is best known for films such as “Hereditary” and “Midsommar.”
NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” began airing in 2004, hosted by former Dateline journalist Chris Hansen. The show televised sting operations intended to lure in real-life pedophiles with involvement from the police.
The show operated with an adult decoy posing as a minor to attract a predator through online chatrooms. Once the predator actually went to the fake address, Hansen would confront them and advise them to leave. After the predator left the house, cops would ambush them, leading to their arrest.
Hansen received a lot of praise for his work, however, some argue that his intentions weren’t honest. “Primetime” highlights Hansen’s drive to elevate the show’s relevance, specifically after the show was moved to primetime on NBC. Hansen faced the pressure of competition, with shows such as “Lost” previously holding that spot.
Hansen felt he had something to prove, motivating him and his producers to get a thrilling catch on the show. This mission was especially heightened as Hansen intended to lessen the public scrutiny expected after news of his affair was to be released.
The show took a shocking turn when Hansen’s team lured in former Texas district attorney Bill Conradt. While their efforts to lead him to the fake address were ineffective, the show’s crew, along with an abundance of law enforcement, staked out Conradt’s house. Once Conradt realized what was going on, he took his own life.
Pattinson excelled at his portrayal of Hansen, while adding his own personal interpretation to his character. Wever masterfully executed her role as Andie Bender, Hansen’s avaricious producer, who is hungry for success over goodwill. Gisondo plays Dan, an aspiring actor who lands the decoy role in Hansen’s show. His performance was both humorous and impressive, as he added contrast to Hansen and Bender, providing a sense of humanity within the ruthless show business.
A notable strength of “Primetime” is the encapsulation of 2000s culture within the media, supported by the film's visual artistry. The use of old cameras and camcorder-based footage gave the film an authentic feeling of 2000s nostalgia.
“Primetime” is a dark and thrilling ride, made entertaining by clever humor and righteous humiliation. The film does not sugarcoat the atrocities of the subject matter and pulls from real-life instances that happened on the show. By using real conversations and chat logs from the show’s guilty catches, “Primetime” emphasizes the horror that is child predation.
