If you believe in the adage “truth is stranger than fiction” then, my friend, Primetime is for you.  I’d be stunned if a network television show like this was produced today.  The fact it happened 20 years ago makes it even more insane.  In 2003, investigative journalist Chris Hansen travelled to Cambodia and, partnering with local groups, prepared an expose on child sex trafficking in the area.  It aired on the long-running NBC news show Dateline in January 2004.

That became Hansen’s inspiration for a standalone segment, How to Catch a Predator, which debuted not long after.  His production crew would chat to paedophiles in America via internet chat rooms, pretend to be underage children, and then lure them into houses filled with microphones and surveillance cameras.  Hansen would then appear from behind a door and utter the catchphrase “you see how this looks, right?”  Local police would take the suspect into custody, and the footage would be packaged up as “entertainment” for NBC viewers to enjoy.  It became Dateline’s most popular segment and was pushed into a primetime slot on Thursday nights.

It’s been a huge year for 30-year-old American filmmaker Lance Oppenheim.  He co-directed the upcoming Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything, which is receiving extraordinary awards season buzz, and Primetime marks his first outing as director of a feature film.  Guided by the screenplay of Ajon Singh, Oppenheim does a superb job recreating and/or fictionalising the behind-the-scenes madness of How to Catch a Predator.  It’s never “preachy” and so it’s up to the audience to formulate their own views on whether this type of television and Chris Hansen’s vigilante-style justice was appropriate.

The film is to be celebrated for the way in explores multiple perspectives with depth and nuance.  We see Hansen as a ruthless journalist, an egomaniac, a perfectionist, a womaniser, and a mentally fragile individual.  There’s a great subplot involving the National Enquirer which flips the script on Hansen – he becomes the hunted instead of the hunter.  You’ll remember the lead performance of Robert Pattinson (Tenet, The Batman) for his voice, mannerisms and insecurities.

They may not get as much attention but equally good are the supporting players.  Emmy-winner Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie) is Andie, the show’s producer who is trying to maintain order on an increasingly chaotic set while also pushing legal boundaries in pursuit of TV ratings.  Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones) is Dan, a non-union actor wondering if impersonating a child on the show will help or hinder his acting career.  Matthew Maher (Air) is Xavier, the guy who spends hours each day chatting to perverted individuals online and luring them out in public.  Their character arcs are riveting!

With a distinct visual style, Primetime is compelling viewing.  See it with friends and there’ll be plenty to chew on afterwards!