“To Catch a Predator” ruled television in the mid-2000s and is now getting the movie treatment with the new thriller, “Primetime.”
Trailer for “Primetime,” starring Robert Pattinson. (Courtesy A24)
Robert Pattinson plays the series’ host Chris Hansen, doing an eerily spot-on impression.
“At the end of the day a man must be held accountable for the decisions that he makes. Do you agree?” Pattinson asks in character.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 02: Robert Pattinson attends the premiere of A24’s “The Drama” at Regal Union Square on April 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
He continues, “Do you watch television? There’s something you should know. I’m Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC. And you’re about to be a part of television history.”
As he narrates, we see either actual clips or recreations done in the style of the show’s hidden camera aesthetic, including the buildup to a dramatic raid.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 08: Chris Hansen attends the Calvin Klein And GE Capital Honored At Dignity U Wear Gala on October 8, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Dignity U Wear)
“We’re going to be the number one show on TV,” a voice says as the trailer ends.
The logline for the film is short and simple: “In 2006, “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen sets out to make television history.”
The film also stars Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo and singer Phoebe Bridgers in her feature film debut.
Poster for “Primetime,” starring Robert Pattinson. (Courtesy A24)
“To Catch a Predator” ran from 2004 to 2007 and only aired 20 episodes, but has remained a major cultural touchstone and reference to this day. The show did face controversy off and on, including a documentary from 2025 titled “Predators,” which raised questions about the ethics of “To Catch a Predator’s” approach to exposing suspected child predators.
There’s no official release date for “Primetime” yet, but it is set to be released in the fall of this year.
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