Hunting predators is a noble task, being a premise for a television show is a business- a cutthroat, by all means succeed business.  The media industry is also festering with predators.  Each person out for themselves. Each person is looking for that inch to gain, or insight to get ahead.   Robert Pattinson plays infamous Chris Hansen flawlessly of course -the host of “To Catch a Predator” back when chat rooms were still the boom on the internet.  Chris sees Stone Phillips as his rival, his competitor. Chris’ producer of the show is salivating at the notion of possibly having a show on the primetime slot.  The actor/decoy Dan Plum played marvelously by Skyler Gisondo sees the job on the show as a platform to launch his career. He also has ambitions. Each character has noble intentions, believing they are doing good work and being good people catching these “monsters” but each wouldn’t mind scheming or overlooking others to further their careers. The people behind the show all have their contradictions and try to conceal their flaws as best as they can. The result is quasi-dreamy boxy film filled with many close-ups, varieties of gels and harsh lighting to maintain benevolence with tricky in the world of television ratings.  

It’s interesting that the film did not attempt to be a documentary style film, instead embracing surrealism and dreamlike drama of cinema. A daring move not to present it as we are seeing it as it happens.  The camera doesn’t do anyone justice. It’s harsh, it’s brutal much like the world of predator hunting and also the world of television.  “I want to be a good person.” proclaims Dan Plum to Chris Hansen just before they are about to catch the biggest predator out there. It’s there in the film that a character recognizes that what they are doing is deceiving, even if it is to snag the worst of the worst. 

The film is the right blend of imagination and also hyper-realism. The script is right to present that each person is not to be trusted. We can’t trust anyone in this film. Pattinson plays Chris as a person attempting to get an edge not just on the people he’s trying to get on the show, but also in general.  He’s constantly scheming, but so is everyone else.  

“Primetime” might miss out on some accolades but it’s surprisingly compelling. It could be in the discussion as a modern version of “Network”. Showing the seedy, underbelly, dark side of television while your show is doing some good.  What really, really works in this is the acting. It is a sensual ensemble cast. A film where you beg for the supporting roles and side characters to get more screen time.  This is a film where many wouldn’t, maybe another hour or so. There’s a lot on its plate and a lot to digest, and it stays with you for a long time. 

The film isn’t probably going to be the movie outing darling, but it is worth viewing. It’s multi-layered and even though we kinda know where it is going it still surprises its audiences . 8/10