Viewers may go into the movie “Primetime” expecting a biopic of Chris Hansen and his notorious Dateline NBC TV show “To Catch a Predator,” but A24 and director Lance Oppenheim planned much more.
What could have been a dull, lackluster biographical film turned into a tense thriller constructed to have the audience question their own morals. The primary cinematic aspect many critics have been highlighting is the acting, as Robert Pattinson executed his greatest performance yet.
It is important to note that this movie is not completely accurate and is a dramatized retelling of Chris Hansen’s experiences in the television industry. Therefore, Pattinson plays an intensified version of Hansen.
The performance, nonetheless, is phenomenal. Pattinson’s voice and mannerisms match those of Hansen’s impeccably, especially when presenting the well-known lines, “Have a seat” and “You see how this looks, right?” to unsuspecting child predators. He also manages to create a character who is morally confusing and slightly unhinged.
Despite drawing viewers in, this portrayal of Hansen creates controversy. It is hard to take a man who made it his job to catch child predators and bring them to justice and turn him into some kind of corrupt and sleazy television host.
It is no secret that Hansen had an affair. The movie touches on the incident to add to the character’s unappealing personality, but then highlights Hansen’s ambition in debasing pedophiles and how he sees it as a sacred duty rather than show business. This contrast creates an ambiguous moral compass that audience members struggle to navigate.
Then the climax develops. In 2006, the crew of “To Catch a Predator” unveiled a predator as assistant district attorney Bill Conradt of Rockwall County, Texas. When Conradt didn’t take the bait and come to a house to meet the decoy, the crew, along with a group of law enforcement, came to his home. SWAT forced their entry, backing Conradt into a room where he fatally shot himself. The tragic outcome led to the TV show’s end.
“Primetime” shows the scene with Hansen watching Conradt through his house window. Conradt is staring into Hansen’s eyes in his final moments, a shocking and gut-wrenching scene. Then Pattinson delivers a line for viewers to ponder: “What would have happened if I wasn’t here?”
Is Hansen the reason a man lost his life, and if so, does that make Hansen the villain of this story? If Hansen was not there, though, how many children would have been subjected to the man’s repulsive tendencies?
How we answer these questions is up to us, making “Primetime” less a story and more of an examination of where the line is between exploitation and justice.
Although the film is not an exact retelling, it tells an intricate story full of pressure and controversy, and does a wonderful job. Pattinson’s impressive performance and the overall suspense of the movie made it worth the watch, and I would absolutely recommend that movie lovers purchase a ticket.
