Cover Photo Credit: A24
Lance Oppenheim’s latest film Primetime (2026), released to an 87% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and mixed reviews from filmgoers. The film centres around TV sensation Chris Hansen and his show To Catch a Predator that began in 2004, as well as certain events that took place near its cancellation in 2007. A24, the company that produced the film, has stated that the film is a loose, dramatic adaptation of real life events; it is not a biographical documentary that employs verisimilitude.
Primetime is very visually appealing throughout. Oppenheim deliberately used colour theory to convey emotions. The film utilized stylistic choices such as yellow or red lighting overlaid with grain to create a nightmarish-nostalgic feeling that encompasses the viewing experience. The colour yellow in colour theory typically represents deceit, looming danger, or sickness. The colour red typically evokes physiological responses from audiences, such as raising their heart rate. The colour famously represents danger, power, and imminent violence.
The film had two particular standout performances: Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen, and Skyler Gisondo as Dan Plum, based on Dan Schrack, who acted as a decoy during To Catch a Predator’s runtime. Pattinson has a certain star quality to him that cannot be taught; he captivates the audience throughout the film, leaving them on the edge of their seats waiting to see what he’ll do next. For example, the introduction of Hansen’s character while entering the house combined with the cinematography, set the tone for the rest of the movie. Gisondo broke out of his typical type-cast of the comic relief character; he studied for his role by watching decoys’ mannerisms from old episodes of Hansen’s show.
That said, viewers (including myself) reported being confused during the third act. Throughout the plot, there are recurring shots of a gothic human-esque creature. This entity was tied to real life events. In 2002, Hansen received a bracelet while working on child slavery cases in Pandalam, India. To clarify: the film states the expedition occurred in 1996. The creators intended the creature to be purely symbolic, a manifestation of the endless cycle of evil. The being never separates itself from Hansen, even after he caught “the whale.” Nevertheless, this was unclear enough for fans to question whether it was a physical embodiment of evil, or purely metaphorical.
It is worth mentioning that Chris Hansen has been a critic of Primetime ever since he heard word of its creation. Hansen has openly stated to the media that Primetime is “a complete work of fiction” and that he is pursuing some type of legal action against the creators for their unfair portrayal of him. No legal action has been recorded or confirmed as of October 14th, 2026, although his attorneys are exploring their options.
Click here to get tickets to Primetime at the Fredericton Cineplex!
