‘Predators’ Review: A Fascinating, Frustrating Doc Examines the Complicated Legacy of ‘To Catch a Predator’

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Throughout the duration of its association with NBC’s Dateline franchise, To Catch a Predator rarely escaped criticism or legal disputes, yet it enjoyed a substantial level of protection.

Each installment served as a meticulously designed trap, where the boundaries between journalists and law enforcement grew hazy in a manner that such boundaries should never be allowed to grow hazy.

“What, are you in favor of sexual predators?” fans of the show would then reply

It’s hard to have a nuanced conversation from there.

In the recently premiered documentary at Sundance, titled “Predators“, director David Osit seizes the opportunity that’s been more than seventeen years since the end of “To Catch a Predator” to engage in those discussions.

The final product is a 96-minute movie, which may leave some viewers unsatisfied, given that its underlying theme revolves around disillusionment. This is because, when one settles down to watch Predators, there’s an inherent expectation for a specific kind of conclusion or emotional release.

If you belong to the group who finds “This show” distasteful, being a type of vigilante program popular in the early 2000s that later seeped into mainstream culture, then you’ll likely tune in anticipating a thorough critique – scrutinizing its methods, its legality, and the charm-masking smugness of host Chris Hansen.

If you believe that there aren’t many absolute moral guidelines but still recognize a few exceptions, then you’ll eagerly wait to see evidence confirming that everyone involved in the production had good intentions, and that the show’s noble purpose can be quantified as if it were a mathematical equation.

In the documentary, Osit’s perspective gradually becomes a central topic, but his ultimate goal seems somewhat ambiguous and falls between clear objectives. Essentially, he’s seeking to unravel the mystery behind this phenomenon, which, contrary to Hansen’s frequent phrase, “Let me understand…”, was not primarily about achieving understanding.

I found the documentary’s ambiguity was powerful, as it seems Osit meant it to be, but I didn’t always resonate with Osit’s methodology.

Like To Catch a Predator itself, Predators stealthily lures viewers in. 

The documentary is divided into three distinct sections, each marked separately. The initial segment caters to viewers with a sentimental connection to the show, offering numerous flashbacks of Hansen’s confrontations in the ‘Predator Kitchen’. These scenes were once met with applause from audiences. In this series, we meet several ‘decoys’, both women and one man, who appeared young enough to attract potential predators. Homes equipped for filming from various angles were baited with these individuals, and it was here that Hansen would suddenly emerge, delivering his signature line, “You’re obviously free to go.” This would be followed by the offender’s arrest by local law enforcement.

In our encounter with the initial decoy character, it appears she finds satisfaction in her portrayal throughout the series, as evidenced by her later appearance at a true-crime convention, where she warmly welcomes Hansen, who is revered like a victorious leader. The second decoy we come across doesn’t seem to be embarrassed about her actions, but struggles to watch episodes replaying on screen. Lastly, we are introduced to Dan, who was part of the infamous Texas episode that ultimately led to the suicide of a district attorney and indirectly contributed to the show’s termination.

Osit finds himself feeling uneasy, yet in control, during meetings with law enforcement and Texas media who were involved with the show and covered the unfortunate incident. Additionally, he reveals previously undisclosed footage from the set, which he acquired through a source that remains unnamed.

The second part delves into impersonators such as Skeeter Jean, a YouTube personality who uses deception to catch unsuspecting individuals, often with the assistance of his accomplice T-Coy. Despite lacking the authentic journalistic background and professionalism of Chris Hansen, Skeeter is deeply captivated by the art of ambushing. Inspired by Hansen’s unique blend of dry wit and seriousness, Skeeter aimed to replicate this style in his own work.

T-Coy’s motivations are intricate and mirror Osit’s objectives in creating the film. He strives to subtly provoke viewers into questioning the true impact of To Catch a Predator, and whether it’s possible to accomplish noble goals through questionable methods, or if an end that provides a deep sense of satisfaction is always justified by the means used.

In the third part of the documentary, Osit makes an effort to assert himself against Hansen. This is where his frustration is most evident and palpable. There’s something significant he hopes to gain from this entire production process, driven by personal motivations and a keen awareness of falling short. As a result, Osit transforms from a largely unheard voice behind the camera into a central figure by the end. This shift also marks his decision to reduce his reliance on a rather passive ethnographer, who was previously used to express the filmmaker’s required sentiments.

Instead of simply relying on emotional appeals, it seems there might be a lack of empirical evidence in Osit’s approach. While he isn’t advocating for sympathy or leniency towards sexual predators, rather promoting a broader understanding through empathy, one could argue that a more investigative style would provide concrete data. This could include details on the outcomes of cases from the show “To Catch a Predator,” rates of reoffending, and the types of treatment, not just punishment, these individuals received.

It seems that this method didn’t strike a chord with Osit, so perhaps we can explore other options since we’ve now set up our conversation. “Predators” isn’t a film about shutting the book on the “To Catch a Predator” series, but rather about delving into the complexities that arise when we revisit these topics.

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2025-01-26 19:55