A24's PRIMETIME Trailer Sees Robert Pattinson Become Chris Hansen in Gripping Crime Thriller

There are some true stories that almost feel too unbelievable to turn into a movie, and A24's Primetimelooks like it's diving headfirst into one of the most controversial chapters in television history.

The studio has released the first full trailer for the upcoming crime thriller, giving us our first look at Robert Pattinsonstepping into the role of To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen.

It’s clear this isn't just another biopic. Primetime looks like it's building an incredibly tense atmosphere around the events that unfolded during one of the most talked-about eras of investigative television.

Rather than simply recreating a TV show, it appears to explore the pressure, ethical questions, and real-life consequences surrounding the series at the height of its popularity.

The film centers on the events of 2006, with the official synopsis reading: "In 2006, ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen sets out to make television history."

Pattinson seems to do a great job capturing the veteran journalist's familiar look and demeanor as cameras roll during the show's infamous sting operations. Joining him in the cast are Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers.

For those who may not remember, To Catch a Predator aired between 2004 and 2007 as a recurring investigative segment on Dateline NBC. Hosted by Hansen, the series worked alongside law enforcement to conduct undercover sting operations across the United States, confronting adults who believed they were meeting underage children for sex.

The film also appears to tackle the tragic event that changed everything for the series. In November 2006, Rockwall County assistant district attorney Bill Conradt died by suicide as Texas police and the To Catch a Predator production team arrived at his home with search and arrest warrants.

Although Conradt had communicated online with the show's decoy posing as a child, he never traveled to meet them.

The incident sparked widespread controversy. Following an investigation by ABC's 20/20 and a lawsuit filed by Conradt's sister, To Catch a Predator ultimately came to an end in 2008.

Despite the controversy, the series became a massive television phenomenon during its run, and the 2025 documentary Predators later explored both the public's fascination with the show and the circumstances surrounding Conradt's death.

The trailer hints that Primetime won't shy away from the emotional weight of those events. Instead of presenting a straightforward recreation, it looks like director Lance Oppenheim is crafting a gripping crime thriller filled with mounting pressure and uncomfortable questions.

The trailer carries an uneasy tension, making it feel like audiences are watching history inch toward an unavoidable collision.

This marks Oppenheim's narrative feature debut after earning acclaim as a documentary filmmaker, and judging from the footage, he seems to be bringing that same eye for real-life drama into a fictional framework.

Whether you're familiar with To Catch a Predator or only know it through its lasting cultural impact, Primetime looks like it's shaping up to be one of A24's most fascinating releases of the year.

The trailer teases a movie packed with suspense and emotional intensity while revisiting a story that still sparks debate nearly two decades later.

It's definitely got my attention, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this complicated chapter of television history plays out on the big screen.

Primetime is set to hit theaters on September 25.