A24’s 'Primetime' Revives the 'To Catch a Predator' Controversy with a Polarizing Performance

Key points

• The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim, explores the ethical and legal fallout of the mid-2000s TV show that used sting operations to catch men soliciting minors online.
• Robert Pattinson delivers a highly praised, intense performance as Hansen, capturing the host’s distinct voice and swagger, though critics note the film’s ending feels restrained.
• Real-life figures, including Chris Hansen and Perverted Justice founder Xavier Von Erck, have condemned the movie as an 'insult' and 'identity theft,' citing significant inaccuracies in the portrayal of their actions.
• The narrative centers on the 2006 incident in Texas where a suspect died by suicide, which led to the cancellation of the show and a subsequent lawsuit.

Background

The film follows the 2025 documentary 'Predators,' which re-evaluated the ethics of the original show. 'Primetime' is the first fictional feature from director Lance Oppenheim, who previously made documentaries like 'Spermworld.' It was released in the US on September 25, following a Venice Film Festival premiere where Pattinson received a seven-minute standing ovation.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and The New Yorker highlight the film’s exploration of societal voyeurism and the 'low-morale workplace' of the production team, noting Pattinson’s performance as 'dazzling' but the film’s analysis as somewhat limited. Mashable praises the cast’s intensity but criticizes the 'flimsy' conclusion. Conversely, Chris Hansen and Xavier Von Erck view the film as a malicious and inaccurate fabrication, with Hansen calling it 'identity theft' and Von Erck accusing the filmmakers of inventing scenes and opinions. David Osit, director of the 2025 documentary, suggests the film misses the deeper societal questions regarding the audience's complicity in the show’s success.

Why it matters

The film reignites the debate over the ethics of reality TV and vigilante justice, questioning how media commodifies the dehumanization of offenders for entertainment. It also highlights the tension between historical accuracy and dramatic license in biographical films, as seen in the backlash from the real-life participants.

What to watch

The film is set to release in the UK on October 30 and in Australia on October 29. Chris Hansen has purchased advertising for his own true crime network, TruBlu, to air before screenings of 'Primetime,' a move described by David Osit as a 'savvy' attempt to redirect viewers to his own content.