Robert Pattinson Takes on the Role of Chris Hansen in Primetime Trailer for Catch a Predator

      Credit: A24

      Robert Hanson takes on the role of real-life To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen in Primetime, the new feature from celebrated documentary filmmaker Lance Oppenheim that explores the true story behind the Dateline NBC phenomenon.

      Ari Aster is among the film's producers, which will be released soon by A24.

      “You’re about to be a part… of television history,” Pattinson warns a suspected predator in the film's chilling, atmospheric trailer, delivering a remarkably accurate imitation of Hansen’s calm tone.

      To Catch a Predator debuted in November 2004 and rapidly gained popularity. It showcased undercover operations targeting men who believed they were meeting underage victims, only to confront Hansen instead.

      The show was canceled in 2008 after one of its investigations led to the suicide of Rockwall County, Texas prosecutor Bill Conradt, who took his life as police sought to execute a search warrant. Conradt shot himself when an NBC camera crew arrived at his residence.

      This event—and the series' overall history—was detailed in the excellent documentary Predators by director David Osit. The film examined the ethics of setting up individuals to be filmed committing illegal acts and included an extensive interview with Hansen, who defended his work.

      Currently, he hosts Takedown with Chris Hansen, a reboot of To Catch a Predator that launched in 2022 and is available on the TruBlu streaming platform.

      The practice of catfishing men into meeting individuals posing as minors has also sparked a surge of online To Catch a Predator imitators, where vigilantes film their targets. They claim to be preventing crimes while also gaining clicks.

      Details about Primetime, Featuring Robert Pattinson

      Primetime features performers including Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Matthew Maher, Bokeem Woodbine, and singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers.

      Pattinson will next appear as one of the main antagonists in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, set to release on July 17.

      Lance Oppenheim’s previous works include HBO’s Ren Faire, depicting a power struggle over the leadership of a beloved Texas renaissance fair, Some Kind of Heaven, a study of life in the retirement community The Villages, and Spermworld, which focuses on the search for donor sperm. At only 30, he has made a name for himself as one of the most compelling and accomplished documentarians in cinema.

      Primetime will be released shortly by A24.

      Main image: Robert Pattinson in the Primetime trailer.