Primetime
A satirical drama starring Robert Pattinson as a TV host who sets traps for grown men who arrange to meet minors. Based on the controversial NBC programme To Catch A Predator by ‘paedophile hunter’ Chris Hansen.
In 2004, the ambitious journalist Chris Hansen created a bizarre reality TV format. He placed young-looking adult actors and actresses, posing as minors, in a ‘decoy house’ for dates that had been arranged in advance via chat rooms with men. These men were then confronted by Hansen with their own statements in front of a hidden camera and handed over to the police waiting outside. To Catch A Predator became a huge hit as a modern-day pillory, but this success and Hansen’s dubious methods would lead to an incident that marked the end of the programme.
Primetime marks the fiction debut of documentary filmmaker Lance Oppenheim and entertainingly illustrates how good intentions can get out of hand due to a thirst for sensation and a drive to score. Robert Pattinson delivers yet another strong leading performance, described by the director as ‘Jerry Maguire meets Dracula’. Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers makes her acting debut in one of the supporting roles.
Written by MDV