Pattinson and Bridgers hunt a predator Primetime review

Robert Pattinson has carved out a reputation for playing untrustworthy men, delivering performances that oscillate between funny and pathetic. This knack for playing the morally ambiguous made him a perfect fit for the deeply unsettling drama Primetime.

The film plunges viewers into the murky world of television in 2006, following the career of news anchor Chris Hansen as he hosts the reality program To Catch A Predator. The premise is a deliciously dark twist: Hansen and his team set up elaborate ruses, using fake online accounts and decoys to lure suspected predators into traps. Each episode culminates in a tense confrontation, where Hansen steps into the frame, revealing the entire sordid operation that has been meticulously staged for television before any official police intervention.

While the moral dilemma of the vigilantes is foregrounded, the story quickly reveals that the production team itself operates in a web of exploitation. The characters are a sleazy bunch, happily immersed in the dark reality of their work. This moral sleight of hand is mirrored by Hansen’s personal life, as he navigates cheating with his wife, adding layers of messy, complicated deceit to the main event.

Perhaps the most fascinating element of the narrative lies in the role of the decoys. The film gives rich, complex life to the actors who inhabit these roles, demonstrating how every character’s existence is rooted in expert manipulation. Phoebe Bridgers delivers a compelling performance as Del, the most experienced decoy, while Skyler Gisondo shines as the wannabe actor Dan Plumb, skillfully portraying the pubescent guise. These characters underscore the clever, manipulative nature of the system at play.

Pattinson’s portrayal of Hansen is a hypnotic and chilling blend of oily charm and palpable unease. His voice and demeanor evoke an alien learning the art of being a slick TV host, perfectly capturing the unsettling rhythm of the proceedings. Coupled with the morally poisonous questions his team uses to trap their prey, Pattinson creates a performance that is simultaneously mesmerizing and horrifying.

Creatively adapted from an Esquire article, the drama is anchored by the work of Lance Oppenheim and Ajon Singh. Cinematographer David Bolen further enhances the mood, crafting an arresting neon-headache aesthetic that feels like a visceral dive into the uncomfortable experimentation of early digital media. Primetime is a tricky, unsettling experience, but it is undeniably worth the effort.

#Chris Hansen#Phoebe Bridgers#Primetime#Robert Pattinson#To Catch a Predator

By Noah Miller