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True crime, live trials and why we can't look away
True crime is arresting. In September, the movie "Primetime," based on behind-the-scenes stories of Chris Hansen and Dateline NBC's "To Catch a Predator," earned $19.2 million at the box office.
Jonathan Lipnicki didn’t warn his family about ‘Primetime’ nude scene: ‘I’m sure they were quite surprised’
‘Jerry Maguire’ child star Jonathan Lipnicki tells EW that he didn’t warn his family about his full-frontal nude scene in ‘Primetime’ before they went to see the film, which stars Robert Pattinson as ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen.
Robert Pattinson agreed to star in “Primetime” after massive Zyn shipment from director Lance Oppenheim
Pattinson also produced the film about the “To Catch a Predator” star.
‘Primetime’ reveals the story behind ‘To Catch a Predator’
Lance Oppenheim’s A24 film goes behind the scenes of the sting house. FSU and TSC students react to Robert Pattinson’s Chris Hansen.
‘Primetime’: Is catching predators justice or just entertainment?
Rating: ★★★½ Starring Robert Pattinson, Skyler Gisondo, Merritt Wever Directed by Lance Oppenheim Rated R Release Date: Sept. 25, 2026 A man waits unknowingly inside a sting house. His eyes draw up to the sound of curtains ruffling as Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson), host of Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator,” enters flamboyantly. Hansen descends...
'To Catch a Predator' pioneered public shaming as entertainment. Now everyone's doing it.
The 2000s sting show is finding millions of new viewers online, and its brand of public humiliation looks awfully modern.
MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Primetime'
In “Primetime,” Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, host of “To Catch a Predator,” an offshoot of NBC’s “Dateline” news program in the mid-2000s. Hansen and the show’s production team would
“Primetime:” The Tragedy of Ethics vs. Entertainment
A review of the newest A24 film, “Primetime” which follows Chris Hansen on his search for ratings and fame during his docu-series “To Catch A Predator” in the early 2000s. Starring the star of 2026, Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen.
Primetime Review: That’s Entertainment?
If you decide to see Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime, it’s important to remember the title as you watch. Yes, this is a biopic of sorts about Chris Hansen and his work on To Catch a Predator, but it is more accurately about the quest for fame and using people’s trauma to attract ratings. True crime entertainment continues to have a prominent place in many people’s television habits, and this film asks us to examine what that means both for those whose stories have become our viewing pleasure and those of us watching. Primetime starts as Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson) is told that his show, To Catch a Predator, is moving to a 9 PM spot opposite LOST. Chris and his producer, Andie (Merritt Wever), see this as an opportunity to make the program even more sensational, looking for bigger, more horrific predators. As part of their plan, they hire a young actor, Dan Plum (Skyler Gisondo), to play “Decoy Dan,” the person who greets the would-be predators who were catfished by Xavier Von Erck (Matthew Maher). Oppenheim, along with writers Ajon Singh and Luke Dittrich, is less concerned with an accurate retelling of the show as much as they are interested in interrogating the why of it all. That decision sometimes leaves Primetime feeling less like a biopic and more like a satirical look at the nature of programming like this. Visually, the movie is impressive. Oppenheim uses light and color effectively to cast Hansen as both villain and savior. Pattinson plays Hansen in an almost comical manner, as we see him wake his two young sons to watch a clip of the show, just to brag that he was moving into a prime spot on television. Even Andie struggles to accept a “nice” job when there is so much more fame to be found producing salacious true-crime content. Wever does an excellent job showing how the hunger for fame is not just in front of the camera, but in every aspect of the production. The heart of the movie, and the standout performance, belongs to Gisondo as Dan Plum. He is someone who just wants to get enough hours to be admitted into the Screen Actors Guild, and stumbles into this job without really knowing what it is. Throughout the film, we watch him suffer one trauma after another, ending with him witnessing the suicide of a District Attorney who is about to become the next unwitting star of Hansen’s show. If there is a sympathetic character in Primetime, it is Decoy Dan, and Gisondo plays him brilliantly. If you’re a fan of programming like To Catch a Predator, then Primetime will probably make you feel uncomfortable, and I think it’s worth sitting with that feeling and examining why we turn on shows that display the worst of humanity while we judge from our couches. Yes, it is correct to want to see people who would hurt children brought to justice, but perhaps it shouldn’t be something that we watch as entertainment. Rating: 3.5/5 This review originally appeared in The Dominion Post on September 25, 2026. MacGuffin or Meaning: Film & TV Reviews and Reflections is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
How To Catch a Predator Turned Crime Stings Into Prime-Time Entertainment - FINCHANNELTo Catch a Predator: How Chris Hansen’s NBC Show Changed Reality TV
To Catch a Predator became a ratings hit by confronting suspected child-sex offenders on camera. Its methods, police cooperation and the death of Bill Conradt sparked a lasting debate over journalism and entertainment.
RPattz ready for 'Primetime'
The guy who plays Batman is also playing the guy behind "To Catch a Predator"? Makes sense on some level.
New movies to watch this weekend: See 'Primetime' and 'Heart of the Beast' in theaters, rent or buy 'Super Troopers 3,' stream 'Tuner' on Paramount+
In theaters now: Robert Pattinson wows in his turn as "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen — and don't underestimate the power of Brad Pitt and a dog.
'Primetime' review: Robert Pattinson makes Chris Hansen a scary clown
'To Catch A Predator' gets the 'American Pyscho' treatment.
Review: 'Primetime' examines 'To Catch a Predator' through a ghoulish lens
The lurid promise of "Primetime" stems from the same base-level thrill as the television show it depicts, "To Catch a Predator," which is the desire to see criminals caught in
‘Primetime’ review: Robert Pattinson dazzles in ‘To Catch a Predator’ drama
“Primetime” not only frequently falls prey to its limitations, but it seems nervous to push against them, writes our reviewer.
Is 'Primetime' worth watching? Robert Pattinson is 'dizzying' — but critics are divided on the movie.
The film received a lengthy standing ovation at its premiere but has been called an “insult” by “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen.
Robert Pattinson brings 'To Catch a Predator' to life in new film 'Primetime'
Robert Pattinson stars in “Primetime,” a film inspired by NBC Dateline's “To Catch a Predator.” | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
Robert Pattinson brings 'To Catch a Predator' to life in new film 'Primetime'
Robert Pattinson stars in “Primetime,” a film inspired by NBC Dateline's “To Catch a Predator.”.
Robert Pattinson brings 'To Catch a Predator' to life in new film 'Primetime'
Robert Pattinson stars in “Primetime,” a film inspired by NBC Dateline's “To Catch a Predator.”.
So this is why Chris Hansen is upset about his portrayal in 'Primetime
Robert Pattinson is riveting as the host of 'To Catch a Predator' but viewers probably should take this version of events with many grains of salt.
Robert Pattinson responds to Chris Hansen’s ‘Primetime’ casting criticism
Robert Pattinson addresses Chris Hansen’s ‘Primetime’ casting criticism after former ‘To Catch a Predator’ host named the actor he would have chosen to portray him in a biopic.
Robert Pattinson Is Disturbing and Alluring in Primetime, a Sordid Movie About a Sordid TV Show
Pattinson plays 'To Catch a Predator' host Chris Hansen in Lance Oppenheim's first narrative feature film.
How A24's 'Primetime' depicts 'To Catch a Predator' host Chris Hansen
A24's sweeps-ploitation drama may deflate the TV host's ego, but it's so in love with its protagonist it can't see he's the least compelling character in the movie.
Why Chris Hansen hasn't seen the new film about 'To Catch a Predator'
Chris Hansen walked out of a screening of A24's "Primetime" rather than sign an NDA. Now he's buying ads before the Robert Pattinson film, in theaters Sept. 25.
I Used To See To Catch A Predator As Entertainment, But This New Documentary Has Completely Changed That
This was a difficult watch...