The head of NBC (Jeff Zucker playing himself) invites host Chris Hansen and his producer to his office to tell them that he hates everything about their ‘child groomer sting’ TV series. But America loves it and it gets great ratings. And so it will be placed against Lost in a primetime slot. And Lost has polar bears. So, To Catch A Predator must offer what it is already dishing out but more of it.

It was very audacious not to change Hansen’s name for Primetime or to have any interaction with him for the making of the film (it’s based on an article written about one of the series’ most outrageous outcomes). Hansen has made a video about him going to see the film and says that about 95% of it is fiction.

Whilst I was thoroughly entertained by the film, there is a huge question mark regarding the movie. I keep asking myself, ‘Why was it made?!’ Was it the event that happened at the end of the film, with it making a statement on reality TV? Was it a Hansen hit piece? Was it making a statement regarding ethics in television and what we count as entertainment even if it ventures into some truly grim avenues? None of this is clear. I honestly don’t think the film knows.

The film also focuses on an actor who plays Decoy Dan, an adult who can pass as a child and lure the groomer into the house where cameramen and Hansen are waiting.

But whilst the film isn’t just about Hansen, this isn’t a flattering portrayal. He’s shown to be obsessed with ratings, paranoid and having a very public nervous breakdown.

My final thought is this- why would Hollywood, which has its own problem with child grooming (watch the disturbing documentary An Open Secret for more on this), make a film seemingly criticising a TV show and its host which exposed groomers and got them arrested?

1.5 out of 5 stars