A24 has released the full trailer for Primetime, giving audiences a closer look at Robert Pattinson’s transformation into television journalist Chris Hansen. The upcoming drama explores the rise of the controversial television series To Catch A Predator, one of the most talked about reality crime programs of the early 2000s. The film arrives during a busy year for Pattinson, who has also appeared in The Drama, The Odyssey, and will next be seen in Dune Part 3 later this year.
The trailer follows an earlier teaser that was released in May, but this latest preview reveals more about the film’s tone and storyline. Rather than presenting a straightforward biographical drama, Primetime appears to examine the world behind the making of the television show and the growing influence of sensational media during that period.
To Catch A Predator first aired in 2004 as a special episode on NBC’s news magazine program Dateline. Due to its popularity, it later became a recurring series in 2006. Hosted by Chris Hansen, the program worked with law enforcement agencies and the watchdog group Perverted Justice to conduct sting operations targeting suspected child predators. While the show attracted significant public attention, it also faced criticism because of its controversial methods and ethical questions surrounding its production.
The series ended after 20 episodes in 2008 following legal challenges that arose after a participant featured on the program died by suicide. Despite its short run, To Catch A Predator has remained a widely discussed part of television history. Chris Hansen later returned with similar investigative programs, including Hansen vs. Predator and Takedown with Chris Hansen.
In Primetime, Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, while Anna Faris appears as his wife, Mary Joan. The supporting cast also includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers in important roles. The film marks the narrative feature debut of director Lance Oppenheim, who previously received praise for his documentary work, including Some Kind of Heaven, Spermworld, and the HBO limited series Ren Faire. The screenplay has been written by Ajon Singh.
The project is the second major film in recent years to examine the legacy of To Catch A Predator. In 2025, filmmaker David Osit released the documentary Predators, which explored the history of the television series through archive footage and interviews with former crew members as well as Chris Hansen himself. The documentary received positive reviews following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Primetime will have its world premiere at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival this September, where it has been selected for the main competition. Following its festival debut, A24 will release the film in theatres on September 25. With Robert Pattinson taking on another challenging role and the story exploring the complex relationship between media, crime reporting, and public attention, Primetime has emerged as one of the most anticipated dramas of the year.