The suspense film “Primetime” takes viewers behind the scenes of a world they may think they already know. The film brings suspense, dark moments and 2000s nostalgia, but leaves viewers wishing there was a little bit more to see.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim, “Primetime” is a dramatized look at the world behind “To Catch a Predator,” the popular Dateline NBC series hosted by Chris Hansen, who is portrayed by Robert Pattinson. Alongside Hansen, Skyler Gisondo plays Dan Plumb, a fictional young actor who becomes one of the show’s decoys and serves as the film’s second main character.
Instead of simply recreating what audiences saw on television, “Primetime” focuses on what happened when the cameras didn’t show the full picture. It follows the people working behind the scenes as the show grows in popularity and its investigations become more serious.
From the clothing and songs like Fergie’s “London Bridge” to the VHS-style footage used throughout the film, “Primetime” quickly brings viewers back to the 2000s by using grainy footage in conjunction with the traditional cinematography.
Pattinson gives one of the strongest performances in the film. His version of Hansen has the confidence and calm personality viewers may recognize from “To Catch a Predator,” especially when he sits across from the men being confronted.
However, behind the fictional cameras, this same personality begins to crack as Hansen’s work/life balance begins to crumble throughout his pursuit of fame. During several dark and intense scenes, Pattinson excels at showcasing Hansen’s obsession and desperation.
Gisonda also stands out as Dan, an aspiring actor who unexpectedly books a role without knowing what it exactly entails. Dan’s role as a decoy also gives the film another perspective outside of Hansen’s. While Hansen is focused on the success of the show, Dan is trying to understand the unusual situation he has been thrown into. His desire to become an actor also conflicts with the disturbing reality of the job he accepted.
Some of the film’s most disturbing moments come from watching Dan interact with the men who arrive at the sting houses. Gisondo makes his discomfort clear without needing words. As the movie continues, Dan becomes more confident in his role, showing how quickly something strange and uncomfortable can start to feel normal.
This behind-the-scenes point of view is where “Primetime” works best. Despite the millions of people who watched Hansen confront predators on television, viewers rarely had to think about the crew standing just outside the frame.
The show’s popularity also came during a post-9/11 culture heavily shaped by fear and a black-and-white view of right and wrong. “Primetime” reflects that mentality by showing how easily television could separate people into heroes and villains, while the people behind the cameras dealt with a much more complicated reality.
The film also creates a surprising amount of suspense as the production becomes bigger and the investigations become more serious. The tension comes from watching the crew continue to push boundaries, leaving viewers wondering how far everyone involved is willing to take the show and what could happen when those boundaries are pushed too far.
As the investigations become more serious, the tone of “Primetime” also changes. What begins as a somewhat nostalgic look at 2000s television slowly becomes darker as the people behind the show are forced to deal with the reality of what they are doing.
Despite its strong premise, the film could have spent more time exploring those consequences.
At around two hours, “Primetime” is not necessarily a short movie, but its ending still feels like it arrives too soon. The story builds toward an important point and then gives viewers only an abrupt, limited resolution for the situation.
Another 15 or 20 minutes exploring the aftermath could have made the story feel more complete. Viewers familiar with the real events that inspired the film may be able to fill in some of those gaps, but people unfamiliar with the story may be left with questions.
The ending does not ruin the movie, but it keeps “Primetime” from feeling as complete as it could have been.
Still, there is plenty that works. Pattinson and Gisondo give strong performances, and the 2000s setting brings nostalgia and the behind-the-scenes perspective gives a familiar piece of TV history a different point of view.
“Primetime” opened in theaters Sept. 25.
Copy Edited by Mia Smith
