A24 has released the trailer for their upcoming film Primetime, which offers a dramatic look at the controversial To Catch a Predator series. Robert Pattinson takes on the role of host Chris Hansen, portraying his work confronting suspected predators during the segments that originally aired on Dateline NBC.
The film includes an appearance by former NBCUniversal executive Jeff Zucker, who plays himself in the project. In the trailer, Zucker observes the ratings potential of the show while delivering a blunt assessment to Hansen, stating that he does not like the program but recognizes that American audiences love it.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the film features a cast that includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher, and Bokeem Woodbine. The original television series ran between 2004 and 2007, relying on partnerships with advocacy groups to set up confrontations with men who believed they were meeting minors for sexual encounters. The show ended following significant legal and ethical controversy.
Primetime hits theaters on September 25. The film serves as a dramatized account of the production and public reception surrounding one of the most polarizing segments in recent television history.