Saagar Kote
Inspired by true events, ‘Primetime’ is a psychological crime thriller directed by Lance Oppenheim and based on Luke Dittrich’s 2007 Esquire article ‘Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die.’ Set in 2006, it dramatizes the experiences of Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson), the host of NBC’s ‘To Catch a Predator,’ as the show prepares for its biggest move yet. Working alongside producer Andie Bender (Merritt Wever), Chris sees the shift to a primetime slot as a chance to take the program further and attract a larger audience. His focus shifts from low-level criminals to the most dangerous offenders, whom he calls whales. Chris is convinced that his actions can help rid the world of sexual predators, whom he considers a form of ancient evil.
He and his team also bring in Dan Plumb (Skyler Gisondo), an adult actor who works as a teenage decoy to lure potential predators. As Chris pushes himself and the show to greater extremes, his sense of purpose becomes increasingly tied to the program’s success. Between television ratings, personal ambition, and his own obsession with the mission, Chris finds himself caught in a complicated and increasingly tense situation. If you enjoyed the tense premise, these movies, similar to ‘Primetime,’ offer a mix of crime, purpose, morality, justice, and fixation that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
12. The Beta Test (2021)
In ‘The Beta Test,’ Hollywood agent Jordan Hines (Jim Cummings) receives a mysterious invitation offering him an anonymous sexual encounter with a woman. With his wedding to Caroline Gaines (Virginia Newcomb) approaching, Jordan accepts the invitation and meets the woman while both remain masked. However, the one-night stand becomes something much more complicated. Jordan becomes increasingly concerned about who sent the invitation and why he was chosen, which draws him into a disturbing world of deception, violence, and digital data.
While he investigates the mystery, his personal and professional life begins to unravel. Penned and helmed by Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe, the black comedy thriller film is a complex saga of desire and consequences. Both ‘The Beta Test’ and ‘Primetime’ place complex and conflicted men at the center of a mystery that gradually becomes more chaotic. Jordan obsessively investigates the strange invitation he receives, while Chris Hansen becomes increasingly involved in his pursuit of dangerous offenders.
11. The King of Comedy (1982)
Brought to life by veteran filmmaker Martin Scorsese, ‘The King of Comedy’ follows Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro), a comedian who is convinced he is destined for fame despite having little success. His obsession with TV grows after he meets his idol, talk-show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). Rupert believes the encounter will lead to an opportunity on Jerry’s show, but Jerry repeatedly refuses to give him a chance. Rather than accepting the rejection, Rupert joins forces with his friend Masha (Sandra Bernhard) to kidnap Jerry. Rupert then offers to release him in exchange for a chance to perform on Jerry’s show, leading to more disorder. The satirical black comedy film explores the dangerous side of fame, TV, and ambition that becomes an obsession, similar to what ‘Primetime’ explores through Chris Hansen’s trials and tribulations.
10. She Said (2022)
‘She Said’ is the tale of New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) and Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) who investigate allegations of sexual misconduct against Harvey Weinstein. Their search for the truth leads them to women who have spent years living with harassment, abuse, and intimidation. The reporters uncover a much larger history of misconduct stretching back decades, but getting the story published is not easy. Kantor and Twohey encounter a system that has helped keep the allegations hidden and must work through years of silence to establish the truth.
They continue to approach survivors, and the reporters’ determined effort to expose a story eventually helps spark the “#MeToo” movement. Maria Schrader steers this drama film, which is based on the eponymous book by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. Both ‘She Said’ and ‘Primetime’ center on people whose work involves exposing sexual predators. Kantor and Twohey continue despite stress and exhaustion, while Chris becomes increasingly consumed by his belief that exposing predators is a personal mission.
9. The Hater (2020)
‘The Hater’ or ‘Sala samobójców. Hejter’ is a Polish social thriller film from director Jan Komasa that centers on Tomasz Giemza (Maciej Musiałowski). He is a disgraced law student who joins a PR company and proves skilled at creating fake news and online smear campaigns. He becomes more deeply involved in online manipulation and is tasked with damaging a mayoral candidate’s campaign. Tomasz infiltrates the campaign, spreads hatred online, and deliberately fuels conflicts between opposing groups. With his work becoming increasingly dangerous, Tomasz goes further than online harassment and takes a disturbing turn. Along the lines of ‘Primetime,’ the movie examines how professional ambitions become connected to larger issues. Tomasz becomes determined to prove himself, while Chris sees the move to primetime as an opportunity to expand his mission and reach more viewers.
8. Bombshell (2019)
Set against the 2016 US presidential election, ‘Bombshell’ is a biographical drama film inspired by the real experiences of women at Fox News who expose sexual harassment. Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), one of the network’s anchors, is already facing controversy after challenging Donald Trump over his comments about women. At the same time, former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) takes action against CEO Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) after refusing his demands for sexual favors. Her lawsuit sets off a chain reaction within the network, encouraging other women, including producer Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie), to speak about their own harrowing experiences.
Their stories begin to come together, and the women find themselves confronting a powerful corporate system determined to protect its reputation as they push for justice. The Jay Roach directorial reflects the essence of ‘Primetime’ by focusing on TV personalities and the darker side of the media industry. Both stories also examine the pressures created when a media organization becomes directly or indirectly involved in controversial investigations.
7. Boston Strangler (2023)
Written and directed by Matt Ruskin, ‘Boston Strangler’ is a crime drama film inspired by the true story of the titular serial killer who terrorized Boston in the 1960s. When reporter Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley) notices similarities between several murders, she begins to suspect that the crimes are connected and may have been committed by the same person. She joins forces with reporter Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), and together they pursue the story as more women are killed.
Their investigation becomes increasingly dangerous as they follow leads and try to warn the public about a killer who remains free. As they dig deeper, the two reporters put themselves at risk in their attempt to uncover the truth at any cost. Television and journalism serve as important tools for bringing criminal activity to public attention in both ‘Boston Strangler’ and ‘Primetime.’ The stories also involve main characters who become deeply committed to pursuing dangerous offenders.
6. Money Monster (2016)
‘Money Monster’ is a Jodie Foster directorial that puts television host Lee Gates (George Clooney) in the middle of a crisis when an angry investor takes him hostage during a live broadcast. Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell) has lost everything after following financial advice given on Lee’s show, and he holds Lee responsible. With millions watching, Lee remains on camera while communicating with his producer, Patty Fenn (Julia Roberts), through an earpiece.
While the standoff continues, Lee and Patty investigate the collapse of the company that caused Kyle’s losses. The hostage situation gradually turns into an attempt to uncover what really happened, forcing Lee to use his TV platform for something very different from his usual financial commentary. The crime thriller film, akin to ‘Primetime,’ combines live TV, investigative work, obsession over a particular cause, and a host whose professional world is suddenly upended by unexpected challenges.
5. Man Bites Dog (1992)
‘Man Bites Dog’ or ‘C’est arrivé près de chez vous’ centers on Ben (Benoît Poelvoorde), a serial killer and thief whose daily activities become the subject of a documentary. Ben treats the camera crew like friends, casually discussing his crimes alongside his personal interests. He even introduces them to his family, making his violent routine seem ordinary. But the documentary filmmakers gradually cross a line and begin to help Ben carry out his crimes.
Their involvement grows more reckless, especially after Ben kills a rival. The crew becomes increasingly tied to Ben’s actions, turning things chaotic. Written and directed by Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, and Benoît Poelvoorde, the Belgian black comedy crime film is a riveting commentary on ethics and personal ambition, similar to ‘Primetime.’ Both films raise questions about how far media professionals should go when pursuing a story or investigation.
4. Christine (2016)
Set in 1974 Sarasota, ‘Christine’ follows ambitious TV reporter Christine Chubbuck (Rebecca Hall) as she struggles to move forward in a profession that values sensational stories. While Christine competes for a promotion, personal issues create hurdles, and the TV station’s ratings fall. Her manager demands more graphic crime coverage, forcing Christine to move away from the honest reporting she believes in. Hoping to gain her boss’s approval and advance her career, she turns her attention to crime news.
However, her growing professional frustrations begin to overwhelm her in unexpected ways. With Antonio Campos in the director’s seat, the psychological drama film is inspired by and dramatizes the true story of Christine Chubbuck. Both ‘Christine’ and ‘Primetime’ examine the conflict between serious journalism and the desire for more sensational material. Christine is pushed toward exploitative crime stories, while Chris Hansen faces pressure surrounding the increasingly ambitious nature of his program.
3. Network (1976)
Director Sidney Lumet’s ‘Network’ begins with UBS news anchor Howard Beale (Peter Finch) learning that his declining ratings have cost him his job, and he responds by doing something nobody expects. During a live broadcast, he announces that he plans to kill himself on air, but the outburst instead makes him a sensation. His sudden popularity gives UBS a ratings boost and leads the network to build a new program around him. Programming chief Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) sees an opportunity to push the network even further toward sensational entertainment.
As Beale gains a powerful platform and begins exposing uncomfortable truths about the company taking control of UBS, his success creates a serious problem for network executives. The satirical comedy drama film and ‘Primetime’ place TV personalities at the heart of stories about the increasingly blurred line between journalism and entertainment. Their professional platforms become powerful forces that shape how they approach the subjects they put on screen.
2. Ace in the Hole (1951)
‘Ace in the Hole’ is the saga of Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas), who finds himself stuck at a small publication in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the lack of meaningful stories leaves him increasingly frustrated. His fortunes change when he discovers Leo Minosa (Richard Benedict), a man trapped deep inside a cave-like structure. Seeing a chance to revive his career, Chuck turns the rescue into a major media event instead of simply reporting what happened. He begins manipulating the situation to keep the story alive, hoping to gain fame and money.
As more attention gathers around the trapped man, Chuck’s carefully constructed scheme grows increasingly difficult to control. With veteran director Billy Wilder calling the shots, the satirical drama film examines the pressure to create stories that attract public attention, much like ‘Primetime.’ Chuck’s decision to prolong the story grows into a dangerous scheme, while Chris pushes himself to the point of obsession as his commitment to exposing predators intensifies.
1. Nightcrawler (2014)
In ‘Nightcrawler,’ a chance encounter with a freelance cameraman gives struggling Louis Bloom, AKA Lou (Jake Gyllenhaal), a new way to make money in LA. After watching Joe Loder (Bill Paxton) film a crash to sell the footage to TV networks, Lou buys his own camera and police scanner and begins chasing crime scenes across the city. His disturbing footage catches the attention of news producer Nina Romina (Rene Russo), who pushes Lou to pursue increasingly sensational material. He also brings Rick (Riz Ahmed) into his operation to cover more incidents.
Lou soon discovers that more shocking images are of higher value, and his ambition pushes him to manipulate situations and ignore ethical boundaries. Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, the psychological crime thriller film is a dark exploration of how the pursuit of attention and professional success can turn crime into a dangerous form of entertainment, akin to ‘Primetime.’ Obsession takes over when Lou’s desire for better footage drives him further, and Chris’s commitment to exposing predators becomes dangerous.
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