Primetime’ Premieres at Venice: An Uncompromising True-Crime Drama

Robert Pattinson in “Primetime.”

A24

Robert Pattinson’s film Primetime, inspired by Chris Hansen’s true crime series To Catch a Predator from NBC’s Dateline, premieres as a sharply crafted dramatization of one of television’s most provocative investigations. Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the film transports viewers to 2006, when Hansen, playing himself on screen, leveraged hidden cameras to ensnare suspected child predators during staged home encounters, with arrests carried out by law enforcement. The operation drew massive ratings and widespread media attention throughout its 2004–2007 run, though the series was ultimately cancelled in 2008 following the tragic suicide of a Texas prosecutor who was being served a warrant by authorities. Rated R, Primetime features an ensemble cast including Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Alex Winter, Bokeem Woodbine and Phoebe Bridgers, and opens in theaters nationwide on September 25. Critics who attended the film’s Venice International Film Festival premiere offered largely positive assessments, noting its unflinching tone and compelling central performance. Jessica Kiang of Variety praised the film’s extraordinary performances, calling it impossible to look away despite its grim atmosphere. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter observed that while Primetime is entertaining in a sensational way, it lacks the intellectual and psychological depth of the 2025 documentary Predators, leaving viewers to question its true purpose. Bilge Ebiri of New York Magazine lauded Robert Pattinson’s transformation into Chris Hansen, calling it a stunning demonstration of the actor’s range. Deadline’s Damon Wise commended director Lance Oppenheim’s feature debut, finding enjoyment in exploring the perfect storm that created To Catch a Predator. Nikki Baughan of Screen International was the sole Rotten Tomatoes critic to call the film rotten, arguing it never fully captures the essence of its troubled production or its multi-faceted host. Primetime opens in theaters nationwide on September 25.

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