‘Predators’ Review: David Osit’s Quietly Trenchant Documentary Asks What Truth Came Out of a True-Crime Phenomenon

by

As a movie reviewer reflecting on my past viewing experiences, I can’t help but reminisce about the impactful series “To Catch a Predator.” From 2004 to 2007, this NBC spinoff of their popular news program captivated American audiences, posing as more than just entertaining reality TV – it marketed itself as a vital public service. The allure was primarily due to the polished demeanor of host Chris Hansen, who skillfully confronted and interrogated suspected child predators with an air of authority, seemingly embodying the role of a law enforcement officer or attorney. However, it’s essential to remember that he was merely a journalist, and the show’s manipulations often made the cases unprosecutable.

“To Catch a Predator” offered a version of justice that resonated with the public – swift, merciless, and televised. I myself was captivated by the series, and now, 20 years later, David Osit’s documentary “Predators” raises thought-provoking questions about why this program held such a strong appeal.

The concept behind “To Catch a Predator” was surprisingly effective, given its basic and perhaps naive nature. Working alongside a civilian organization called Perverted Justice, the show’s producers would locate men who were attempting to meet minors for sexual purposes through online chat rooms. They would use fictional characters to entice these individuals, leading them to a house equipped with hidden cameras where they would eventually be confronted by Chris Hansen and subsequently local law enforcement. This formula, though inexpensive, has led to numerous imitations on television and the internet, fueling an ongoing public interest in criminal behavior that deviates from norms, an interest that seems undiminished despite the abundance of true-crime content across all media platforms.

It is important to note that the filmmaker, Osit, acknowledges that while his movie is thoughtful and compassionate, it still taps into the same sensationalistic audience interest – as demonstrated by its dramatic opening, which features intense audio-visual clips from “To Catch a Predator,” showing a 37-year-old man having a conversation with someone he believes to be a 13-year-old girl, only for Hansen to intervene. The film, titled “Predators,” takes its time to judge but is firm and persistent in questioning the moral implications of the show’s consequences – and how they affect participants, viewers, and survivors of abuse. This movie premiered in competition at Sundance, making it a likely candidate for widespread distribution and festival screenings, even without its skillful and sensitive production.

Osit highlights that Hansen frequently started his interviews with ‘Help me understand,’ which, despite its seemingly neutral tone, often intimidated and misled the suspects. This is because the show was more about punishing pedophiles, a crime universally condemned, rather than having an open conversation. The show gave the impression of being judge, jury, and executioner, feeding on the assumption that viewers would unwaveringly support its stance. However, Osit discovered previously untelevised footage showing police interrogating suspects after their initial capture in a more calm and diplomatic manner.

One of the show’s regular commentators, Mark de Rond from Cambridge University, notes that when “To Catch a Predator” portrays these men as regular people, the program seems to lose its structure. Initially, it was simpler and more sensational to present them as inhuman or detached, which also avoided controversy – until a tragic event in the final season. A failed sting operation led to the suicide of the suspect, who was an assistant district attorney from Texas, as law enforcement and camera crews approached him.

The unfortunate incident was not immune to NBC’s promotional tactics that sought to capitalize on the situation; a provocative trailer for the episode was released, emphasizing its shocking “never-before-seen” aspect. However, the series was soon canceled, and the show’s ethical standing has been subject to reevaluation since then, with many of those involved expressing doubts. In one of the most sincere apologies from the actors interviewed by Osit, Dan Schrack, who played the decoy in the fateful episode, spoke about the emotional toll it took on him. One police officer even described his involvement as a blemish on his soul. Throughout the documentary, Osit, a subtle and empathetic interviewer, allows his subjects to reflect deeply on questions that he, too, grapples with, keeping himself mostly out of the limelight until the more introspective conclusion.

The individual providing well-rehearsed responses is none other than Hansen, who appears in the documentary following a significant third-act interview with the filmmaker, although it doesn’t provide any groundbreaking or confrontational disclosures. In his sixties now and having moved from network television to less regulated online platforms to bolster his moral crusader persona, he refuses to acknowledge any wrongdoing related to “To Catch a Predator” or similar projects. One of these recent undertakings is an episode from his current series “Takedown,” which singled out and condemned an 18-year-old high school student for his relationship with a 15-year-old boy, a situation he admits is different from most cases he highlights, but one he insists deserves the same punishment. The question of whether publicly shaming such individuals for public entertainment serves as an effective criminal deterrent is evaded by Hansen, who instead recounts stories of sexual abuse victims who have expressed gratitude for his work over the years.

This encounter is as gripping as any from the man’s TV days, yet Osit isn’t seeking to apprehend anyone, while Hansen won’t be found guilty, he’s confident of his own heroism. When asked about the surge in social media vigilantism and imitators inspired by his groundbreaking show, he responds casually that what they do for views and income, he does “for a higher cause.” The film “Predators” assumes viewers will notice as much irony or hypocrisy in those words as they wish. However, it can’t resist a witty, sarcastic closing scene that mirrors the multi-camera surveillance style of “To Catch a Predator” used on its subjects. Osit’s clever, subtly provocative film leaves us uneasy and questioning our beliefs – an outcome maybe more true-crime shows should strive for.

Read More

2025-01-26 20:17