Robert Pattinson plays predator-catching host Chris Hansen in Primetime trailer
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
A24 has released the first trailer for Primetime, a crime thriller starring Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen, the former host of NBC's controversial series To Catch a Predator. Directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut, the film revisits the show's cultural impact and probes the uneasy overlap between genuine public service and ratings-driven spectacle, questioning how far broadcasters and producers went in pursuit of sensational stories.
The film follows Hansen at the height of the original show's popularity, tracking its shift from a hit investigative format into something more ethically fraught. Pattinson, who also produces alongside Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen via Square Peg, leads a cast including Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Anna Faris and musician Phoebe Bridgers, with a screenplay written by Ajon Singh.
- A24 unveils trailer for Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen.
- Film examines To Catch a Predator's shift from justice to spectacle.
- Cast includes Merritt Wever, Anna Faris, Skyler Gisondo and Phoebe Bridgers.
New here? Start with this
Primetime is an upcoming crime thriller from A24, the film studio known for distinctive independent releases, starring Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen. Hansen is a real journalist who became famous in the 2000s as the host of To Catch a Predator, a segment on the American network NBC where suspected sexual predators were confronted on camera after being lured to staged meetings, often as part of joint operations with police and volunteer groups.
The show was hugely popular but also controversial, with critics questioning the ethics of its methods and how much it was driven by ratings rather than genuine public interest. Primetime is directed by Lance Oppenheim, making his first scripted feature, and looks at that period through a dramatised lens, exploring the tension between the show's stated aim of catching offenders and its nature as television entertainment.
The film is produced by Pattinson alongside director Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen, and features a cast including Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Anna Faris and musician Phoebe Bridgers, with a script by Ajon Singh. Its release comes with A24's growing reputation for star-driven, often unconventional takes on real events and public figures.
More coverage
- Consequence — Robert Pattinson Hunts Predators for Glory in Primetime Trailer: Watch
- Variety — ‘Primetime’ Trailer: Robert Pattinson Suits Up as ‘To Catch a Predator’ Host Chris Hansen in A24 Crime Thriller
- Deadline — ‘Primetime’ Trailer: A24 Releases First Full Look At Lance Oppenheim’s ‘To Catch A Predator’ Drama Starring Robert Pattinson As Chris Hansen
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Collider as “Robert Pattinson Takes Down Predators in Intense First Trailer for New Crime Thriller”.