“Primetime” is a fictionalised A24 drama inspired by the real-life “To Catch a Predator” investigations, with Robert Pattinson playing a character based on presenter Chris Hansen. The film follows the programme’s pursuit of suspected child predators while examining the blurred boundary between public-interest journalism, entertainment and exploitation.

Set during the show’s rise to NBC primetime, the story centres on Hansen, producer Andie Bender and young decoy actor Dan Plumb as they prepare to compete with “Lost”. The review praises Pattinson, Skyler Gisondo and Merritt Wever, as well as Lance Oppenheim’s documentary-style direction, but notes the film’s disturbing subject matter and moral ambiguity; Hansen was not involved and reportedly declined to sign a restrictive agreement before viewing it.