Hot Docs 2025 - Shamed Review

 

Canadian late-night rabbit-hole users of YouTube in the late 2010s may remember Jason Nassr and his CreeperHunterTV. If not, you're probably well familiar with the much-mocked formula his content follows. He went on dating apps, posed as an 18-20 year old girl, and lured men in for conversation. He let it linger, and then revealed that the 18-20 year old is actually a minor. If the person on the receiving end was still willing to meet, Nassr would go to the location, camera on hand, ready to confront them. The videos circulate the internet, ruining the life of the 'creeper', destined to live a life in shame. Amidst a court case against Nassr on various charges, the justice system questions the legalities of what he does. Filmmaker Matt Gallagher has made this film to hear the story from the perspective of Nassr, experts in this type of law, and the families of some of the 'creeper's who he's targeted.

Gallagher covers a lot of moral and ethical ground here, and poses a lot of questions without spoonfeeding the audience, which is very admirable. This is besides one moment where he is opening up to Nassr about his thoughts on his work, where he's very candid - and most thoroughly demonstrates himself as a thoughtful filmmaker. He's interviewing such a wide variety of subjects, pulling from a vast collection of police interrogations and courtroom audio materials. The way he strings together the conversations he has and the material of which he has access to is brilliant. It feels like there's a truly tight-knit and elaborate story being told here in the way he places everything - even though his subjects and talking heads have no awareness of eachother. It's hard to describe without seeing it, but it's done in a very meticulous and unique way.

There are 5 "John Doe's" at the center of this film, all of which have passed on due to suicide or overdoses. Their families are interviewed, and we learn more about the type of people they were and the circumstances that lead them to Nassr and subsequently, tragedy. A particular story about a neurodiverse 23 year old who had no sexual intent but couldn't live with the shame is heartbreaking. The way the film opens audiences up to the idea that vigilantism and shame aren't the answers are quite profound and eye-opening. What we learn about Nassr outside of these ventures is pretty harrowing himself, and begs the question - is he the biggest predator of all? 

Although it's not part of the story Gallagher is trying to tell, it's hard not to wish he did indict child predators in any way through this process, even briefly. Although Nassr's way is certainly not the correct one, the fact that only innocent John Doe's without mal-intent are portrayed doesn't let the portrayal feel fully balanced. It may not be the film's job, but it could've boxed this all up in a more conclusive package. Additionally, although hard to fault the film for it, large stretches feel like they could've been in an audio format. Nearly a third of the film is simply drone footage over the courthouse where Nassr's hearing was held, as well as the towns in which Nassr's catchings took place. This is likely due to the court's order to scrub all CreeperHunterTV footage. However, it still feels like there's room for something more visually compelling to be placed in these segments. This doesn't detract from what this film does right - tell a very full story in post with some excellent narrative structure. The way it sheds light on this type of activity from a critical perspective is new, and needed now more than ever.

Rating: 7/10

Hot Docs 2025 runs until May 4th. Tickets can be purchased at hotdocs.ca. Shamed will premiere on TVO later this year.