New Film 'Primetime' Reimagines Chris Hansen's 'To Catch a Predator' Era

The new film "Primetime" offers a fictionalized and intense portrayal of Chris Hansen, the host of the NBC series "To Catch a Predator," as it chronicles the rise and fall of the mid-aughts sting operation. Robert Pattinson stars as Hansen, depicted as a ruthlessly ambitious and freakishly intense figure, more akin to a "Gollum of network news" obsessed with his show.

The movie explores the dual nature of Hansen's mission: a perceived crusade to cleanse the world of pedophiles and a personal fight for fame and recognition. This internal conflict mirrors the ongoing debate surrounding "To Catch a Predator" itself—its ethical complexities, the traumatic experiences of its young "decoy" actors, and its effectiveness in bringing offenders to justice.

"Primetime" presents a highly fictionalized version of Hansen, driven by a desire for fame that leads him to envy colleagues like Stone Phillips, who reported from war zones. The film includes a scene where NBC CEO Jeff Zucker, playing himself, grants the show a coveted primetime slot, remarking, "I don’t really understand your show. I don’t like it. I don’t believe in it. But America loves it."

Fueled by the show's unexpected ratings success, Hansen pushes for increasingly extreme measures. The film depicts a scenario where he tells his producer, "I need to do something big—bigger than ‘Lost.’" This drive culminates in a tragic event—the suicide of an offender, which the film shows being reprehensibly turned into an episode—leading to the program's eventual cancellation.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, "Primetime" is not a straightforward biopic but a moody, nightmarish exploration of its central characters. Skyler Gisondo stars as Dan, a "decoy" and aspiring theater actor who takes on the role to gain experience. Gisondo is lauded for capturing Dan's suburban naivete and his growing unease with the situation, reflecting the real-life regrets expressed by decoy Dan Schrack, who stated he would not film a similar episode again even for substantial payment.

Merritt Wever plays Andie, a manipulative producer whose primary focus is the show's success. Her character is portrayed as a "Lady Macbeth," prioritizing ratings over the consequences for those involved. The film builds to a climactic scene staged as a "front-lawn war zone."

While "Primetime" is described as haunting, riveting, and visually arresting, the review suggests it functions more as a character study than a deeply resonant exploration of ideas. The film ultimately comes down hard on Hansen, with Pattinson reportedly delivering a powerful performance as the host's life unravels. The film is rated R for disturbing sexual material, graphic nudity, some violent content, and language, and was released on September 25, 2026.