{"id":2673739,"date":"2026-10-01T08:46:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T12:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignprimetime-is-hollywoods-attempt-to-normalize-the-disordered-evils-of-pedophilia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-01T08:57:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T12:57:23","slug":"utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignprimetime-is-hollywoods-attempt-to-normalize-the-disordered-evils-of-pedophilia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignprimetime-is-hollywoods-attempt-to-normalize-the-disordered-evils-of-pedophilia\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Primetime&#8217; Is Hollywood\u2019s Attempt To Normalize Pedophilia"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Futm_sourcerssutm_mediumrssutm_campaignprimetime-is-hollywoods-attempt-to-normalize-the-disordered-evils-of-pedophilia%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2673739&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The film *Primetime* by A24 presents a controversial fictionalized drama inspired by the real-life investigative show *To Catch A Predator*. Unlike the original program,which successfully led to numerous arrests of child predators,*Primetime* portrays pedophiles as victims and suggests that journalist chris Hansen&#8217;s pursuit of justice is driven by fame and moral ambiguity. The movie, released on September 25, has been praised for its artistic quality but criticized for its unsettling portrayal of sensitive topics, blurring moral lines and sympathizing with villains. It features manipulative storytelling that questions the morality of Hansen and depicts law enforcement action negatively, while softening the image of pedophiles. Hansen himself disapproves of the film, citing lack of consultation and plans for legal action, noting that it unfairly maligns his character. The film also attempts to draw moral equivalencies between adultery and pedophilia, further complicating its narrative. Audience reactions have been divided,with some mourning Hansen\u2019s arrests and others criticizing him,reflecting a cultural shift towards empathy for predators. Critics argue that the movie exemplifies Hollywood\u2019s tendency to normalize depravity and shows a disturbing trend of defending or sympathizing with evil, raising concerns about society\u2019s moral direction.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>A24\u2019s new movie, <em>Primetime<\/em>, is a fictionalized drama inspired by the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >popular 2000s real-life investigative television show<\/a> <em>To Catch A Predator<\/em>. Hosted by journalist Chris Hansen, the original program famously led to the arrests of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2007\/08\/27\/business\/media\/27predator.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">256<\/a> alleged child predators, about half of whom were convicted. This new film takes a controversial approach. It shifts the focus away from the perpetrators, using clever framing and narrative choices to portray the pedophiles as victims and to frame Hansen\u2019s pursuit of justice as a morally grey crusade driven by a quest for fame.<\/p>\n<p><em>Primetime<\/em>, which debuted on Sept. 25, <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2026\/film\/box-office\/primetime-box-office-robert-pattinson-star-power-1236876947\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">earned<\/a> nearly $20 million on its opening weekend, putting it fourth in domestic rankings. The film is alarming because it is beautifully shot, well acted, and has a tight script. It has earned its artistic merits. It is such a well-made film that it has moments of being terrifyingly persuasive. But ultimately, audiences must confront the question: Why are we creating art that makes us question whether pedophilia is wrong?<\/p>\n<p><em>Primetime <\/em>follows Hollywood\u2019s trend of undercutting heroes and empathizing with villains. This has become a notable feature of modern cinema, such as with films like <em>Maleficent<\/em> and <em>Steps<\/em>, which try to vindicate villains. <em>Primetime <\/em>cunningly borrows the subversive tropes from those films. <\/p>\n<p>Hansen\u2019s actions are easy to call into question when the film\u2019s creators place him in dimly lit backrooms or ominously shoot him reading the perverted chat exchanges from the child predators. The creators treat cops like absent-minded idiots, having one officer locking himself out of his car for laughs. NBC gets portrayed as \u201cevil corporate suits,\u201d instead of the company whose programming helps expose and arrest pedophiles. <\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, <em>Primetime <\/em>gently insinuates that the pedophiles aren\u2019t bad guys who are responsible for their own actions. Rather, it pretends that these monsters are tools Hansen and NBC are using to get higher ratings. <\/p>\n<p>The second half of the movie focuses on Bill Conradt. Conradt was a Democrat assistant district attorney in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who killed himself after being approached by Hansen and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-pledges-orderly-transition-of-power\/\" title=\"President Trump pledges orderly transition of power\">local law enforcement<\/a> for soliciting sex with a minor. The movie handles Conradt with kid gloves, softening his image by having him discuss his love of musicals and Vegemite. The film often shows pedophile characters wrestling with guilt. Hansen\u2019s vehemence in catching these pedophiles is depicted as being heartless and cruel.<\/p>\n<p>The actual Chris Hansen\u2019s response is indicative of how poorly the movie reflects the heroism of <em>To Catch a Predator<\/em>. Hansen has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/videos\/chris-hansen-reacts-hollywood-movie-144938508.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a> he wasn\u2019t consulted in the making of the film, and he has publicly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esquire.com\/entertainment\/movies\/a73569132\/chris-hansen-primetime-robert-pattinson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stated<\/a> his interest in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/candy-or-cannabis-new-study-warns-of-edibles-in-copycat-packaging\/\" title=\"Candy Or Cannabis? New Study Warns Of Edibles In \u2018Copycat Packaging\u2019\">pursuing legal action<\/a>. Hansen says A24 asked him to sign an NDA that would\u2019ve waived the rights to his image and brand, restricting his ability to pursue legal action, but Hansen refused. The movie specifically calls into question his morality and repeatedly implies that he was malicious, mean, and neurotic. Online, Robert Pattinson\u2019s performance as Hansen <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DrewPavlou\/status\/2104094816225411141?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has drawn comparisons<\/a> to Leo DiCaprio\u2019s maniacal Jordan Belfort and Christian Bale\u2019s bloodthirsty Patrick Bateman.<\/p>\n<p><em>Primetime <\/em>unintentionally exposes how depraved Hollywood has become. At one point, the movie tries to draw a moral equivalence between adultery and pedophilia. In order to make Hansen look bad, the film shows his 2011 cheating scandal taking place in 2006, playing out during the same period that Conradt committed suicide. The only reason why the filmmakers would do this is to call into question his ethics. <\/p>\n<p>However, by questioning the ethics of the child predator, they are exonerating Conradt and the other pedophiles. Hollywood clearly sees no fault in this. Nor do they see the irony in criticizing Hansen for making money off of exposing people\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/60-minutes-runs-explosive-segment-featuring-young-transgender-individuals-who-decided-to-reverse-course\/\" title=\"60 Minutes Runs Explosive Segment Featuring Young Transgender Individuals Who Decided To Reverse Course\">real lives<\/a>, when that is precisely what they themselves are doing.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the most jarring part of <em>Primetime<\/em>\u2019s release has been audiences\u2019 reactions to it. In the theater where I saw the film, a group of people mournfully sighed whenever a scene showed Hansen arresting a pedophile. Conversely, they laughed aloud when pedophiles did vile things, such as sending a message to a child about making them \u201cF-ck a cat.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Several lengthy YouTube videos berating Hansen have been posted with titles like \u201cChris Hansen Was Never the Hero\u201d and \u201cThe Secret Sins of Chris Hansen.\u201d On TikTok, people have posted videos criticizing him for being \u201ctoo obsessed\u201d with catching predators. Hosts of people are eager to tear down Hansen and the work that he did in helping arrest and convict pedophiles. These people are arguing against the work of a man who helped protect and save children.<\/p>\n<p><em>Primetime <\/em>is the perfect example of how far our society has fallen. There is no justification for creating a story that shows empathy toward pedophiles. It\u2019s shocking that Hollywood feels comfortable releasing a movie that builds sympathy for child predators. It is evidence of how disordered our culture has become.<\/p>\n<p>This movie crosses a line and goes far beyond the bounds of creative storytelling. Hansen\u2019s suggestion that he may pursue legal action may not manifest until after the movie has left theaters, so that it doesn\u2019t receive additional media coverage. But as vital as it was to catch predators in the 2000s, it is now important to stop the people commiserating with perverts. <em>Primetime <\/em>is Hollywood\u2019s attempt to normalize the disordered evils of pedophilia.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Brooke Brandtjen is a writer and journalist from Wisconsin who focuses primarily on culture, politics, and religion. She is extremely passionate about the arts and history, and is honored to write for a variety of distinguished publications.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A24\u2019s film \u201cPrimetime\u201d controversially sympathizes with predators<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3727,"featured_media":2673740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copy-of-Untitled-2026-09-30T114840.776.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4361,86542,51442,43035,54393],"class_list":["post-2673739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-hollywood","tag-industry-critique","tag-media-influence-2","tag-moral-responsibility","tag-pedophilia-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Copy-of-Untitled-2026-09-30T114840.776.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2673739","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3727"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2673739"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2673739\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2673749,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2673739\/revisions\/2673749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2673740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2673739"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2673739"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2673739"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}