At the Venice Film Festival, Lance Oppenheim’s debut fiction feature, Primetime, premiered, offering a fictionalized look at the rise and fall of the early 2000s NBC phenomenon To Catch a Predator. The film centers on host Chris Hansen, portrayed by Robert Pattinson, exploring the shift from his earlier serious journalistic roots to the sensationalistic vigilante persona that defined the series.
Set in 2006, the narrative follows Hansen and his strained producer, Andie, played by Merritt Wever, as they navigate the move to a primetime slot. The pressure amplifies Hansen’s ego, leading him to pursue a high-profile “whale” target among government officials rather than the typical offenders. This ambition drives the show’s use of young-looking decoys, including a character named Del, played by Phoebe Bridgers, and a newcomer known as Decoy Dan, portrayed by Skyler Gisondo.
Pattinson’s performance is highlighted as the film’s primary draw. He depicts Hansen with a menacing charm, utilizing a purring delivery and theatrical precision that blurs the line between moral crusade and personal gratification. The film suggests Hansen has become intoxicated by his perceived power, persuading Dan to remain in demeaning roles under the guise of public service.
While the movie aims to critique the moral ambiguity of trash TV production, critics note that the equivalence drawn between predators and the show’s creators feels tenuous. Oppenheim, known for documentaries such as Spermworld, structures the film with disorienting, jagged scenes. The visual aesthetic, crafted with cinematographer David Bolen, employs a grubby, grainy look reminiscent of early 2000s video to evoke discomfort, leaving viewers to decide if the experience is worthwhile.
Merritt Wever as the weary producer gives the whole thing needed grounding. Great supporting cast!
The grainy aesthetic was effective, but I’m not convinced the moral equivalence held up under scrutiny.
Wait, did they use actual young-looking decoys for the film? That sounds ethically murky even for satire.
Pattinson playing a creep with charm is genuinely unsettling. Can’t look away.