Robert Pattinson plays pedo hunter Chris Hansen in new thriller 'Primetime' based on 'To Catch a Predator'

A24 has released the first trailer for “Primetime,” a new crime thriller starring Robert Pattinson as former To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen during one of the most controversial periods of the hit television series. The film follows Hansen as he attempts to create a groundbreaking television investigation in 2006, when “To Catch a Predator” was drawing major attention for its undercover stings targeting child predators.

The official description for the film states, “In 2006, ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen sets out to make television history.” Pattinson stars as Hansen, with the cast also featuring Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers. “Primetime” is directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature film debut, reports Variety.

The original To Catch a Predator aired from 2004 to 2007 as part of NBC’s Dateline programming. The series featured Hansen and a camera crew working with law enforcement during undercover operations across the United States. It was incredibly popular and the clips have outlasted the shows run, with YouTube clips garnering millions of views.

The movie focuses on a real-life major moment in the show’s history involving the 2006 death of Rockwall County Assistant District Attorney Bill Conradt. Conradt died as Texas authorities and the To Catch a Predator team arrived at his home with search and arrest warrants.

Conradt had communicated with the show’s undercover decoy but did not travel to meet the person. The incident later became the subject of controversy, with an investigation by ABC’s “20/20” and a lawsuit filed by Conradt’s sister.

Following the fallout, “To Catch a Predator” was eventually canceled in 2008. The series had become a major ratings success during its run and later received renewed attention through the 2025 documentary “Predators,” which examined the public fascination surrounding the program.

“Primetime” is set to arrive in theaters on September. 25. The film is produced by Range Media, Icki Eneo Arlo, and Square Peg, with Pattinson among the producers alongside Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Fred Berger, Brighton McCloskey, and Lars Knudsen.