Primetime (film)

Primetime
A portrait of Robert Pattison as Chris Hansen.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLance Oppenheim
Written byAjon Singh
Based on
"Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die"
by Luke Dittrich
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDavid Bolen
Edited byDaniel Garber
Music byAri Balouzian
Production
companies
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • September 5, 2026 (2026-09-05) (Venice)
  • September 25, 2026 (2026-09-25) (United States)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Primetime is an upcoming American crime thriller film[2][3][4] directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature film debut. Based on the 2007 Esquire article "Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die",[5] the film follows the production of the reality television series To Catch a Predator.[6][7] Robert Pattinson stars as series host Chris Hansen, and also serves as a producer.[8] Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers play supporting roles.

The film will premiere at the main competition of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 5, 2026, where it will compete for the Golden Lion.[9] It will be released theatrically in the United States on September 25.[10][11]

Premise

In 2006, Chris Hansen sets out to make television history as the host of To Catch a Predator.

Cast

Production

In October 2024, it was announced that Lance Oppenheim would make his feature film debut with a script by Ajon Singh, with A24 financing and distributing, and Robert Pattinson on board as only a producer at the time; Ari Aster was also reported to be among the film's producers. The project was revealed to be based on host Chris Hansen's show To Catch a Predator.[17]

Principal photography began in New Orleans under the production title Bluefin Tuna in early February 2025 and concluded by March 28.[18][19][20] On March 11, Pattinson was spotted on set filming along with co-stars Phoebe Bridgers, Merritt Wever, and Sean Bridgers.[21][22][23] In September 2025, Skyler Gisondo was revealed to be part of the project.[24] Ari Balouzian composed the film's score.[25]

Chris Hansen was not involved with the production in any capacity.[26][27]

Release

Primetime is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on September 25, 2026, after premiering at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.[28] In April 2026, Indian streaming service Lionsgate Play announced that Primetime would be part of its initial batch of theatrical-first releases in September 2026.[29] The film will release in the Benelux on October 29 and in France and Germany on September 23.

Reception

Response from involving parties

When asked about the film after its teaser was released, Chris Hansen said, "they reached out to me this week, and I've been asked not to talk about it a great deal at this point."[30] In an interview with podcaster Annie Elise after the first trailer was released, Hansen said he was not involved in the film's production, with the filmmakers reaching out to him only after production had started, and he was reserving judgment on the film until he saw it. Of the trailer, he said: "It looks very dramatic. I know [Pattinson] is a popular actor, and I know the director is a popular guy. I also have some questions: What's Hollywood's motive here?" Hansen added that he had once written his own biographical screenplay and expressed a preference for Denis Leary as the lead.[26]

On Jesse Watters Primetime, Hansen said a lawyer from A24 asked him before a private screening of the film to sign a contract that would "take away his name, image, and brand, essentially, as well as any potential legal rights that would come out of the movie". Hansen refused to sign it after speaking with his lawyers and chose not to see the film. A source close to A24 told Deadline that the agreement was a standard non-disclosure agreement signed by preview audiences to prevent spoilers and protect the studio's intellectual property.[31] Hansen said the NDA also included an agreement not to take legal action against A24 for his depiction in the film, and that he was consulting with lawyers for recourse.[32]

Hansen has purchased pre-show advertising for every theatrical screening of Primetime.[32] The ads show Hansen in a kitchen like the ones seen in his sting operations, asking the audience to "take a seat" before directing the audience to his streaming service TruBlu.[32] Hansen reportedly wanted to end the advertisement with the disclaimer that Primetime is "a Hollywood fantasy version" of true events, but was advised against this as it might prompt legal action by A24.[32]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Primetime One-Pager" (PDF). A24 Press. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Trailer: Robert Pattinson is Chris Hansen, 'To Catch a Predator' host, in A24 'Primetime' thriller". Los Angeles Times. May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  3. ↑ Dunn, Jack (May 27, 2026). "'Primetime' Trailer: Robert Pattinson Stars as 'To Catch a Predator' Host Chris Hansen in A24 Thriller". Variety. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Everything We Know About Robert Pattinson's Spin As Actor And Producer In A24 Drama 'Primetime'". Esquire. July 24, 2026. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  5. ↑ Day, Debbie (August 6, 2026). "Robert Pattinson is out to catch a predator as Chris Hansen in Primetime trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  6. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (October 22, 2024). "Robert Pattinson, 'Ren Faire' Director Lance Oppenheim to Develop True Crime Film 'Primetime' for A24". Variety. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 22, 2024). "Robert Pattinson, Lance Oppenheim Developing Crime Reporting Pic 'Primetime' For A24". Variety. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  8. ↑ Kitt, Borys (October 22, 2024). "Robert Pattinson to Produce 'Primetime' for A24, 'Ren Faire' Director Lance Oppenheim". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Biennale Cinema 2026 - Primetime (Competition)". labiennale.org. July 23, 2026. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ Gooden, Tai (May 28, 2026). "Robert Pattinson Unlocks a New Voice in PRIMETIME Trailer". Nerdist. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  11. ↑ Hunter, Lauren (April 21, 2026). "Release date set for Robert Pattinson and Phoebe Bridgers movie". faroutmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  12. ↑ Grobar, Matt (May 27, 2026). "'Primetime' Teaser: First Look At Robert Pattinson As 'To Catch A Predator's Chris Hansen In A24 Drama From 'Ren Faire's Lance Oppenheim". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Johnston, Dais (August 7, 2026). "Robert Pattinson Headlines The Most Unnerving True-Crime Movie Of the Year". Inverse. Archived from the original on August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (August 6, 2026). "'Come On In': See New Trailer for 'To Catch a Predator' Movie 'Primetime,' Starring Robert Pattinson". Rolling Stone. Los Angeles: Penske Media Corporation.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Sarrubba, Stefania (August 6, 2026). "Robert Pattinson's true-crime thriller gets incredible trailer you don't want to miss". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
  16. ↑ Joker (August 6, 2026). "羅伯派汀森追捕性侵犯！《宿怨》名導監製《實境誘捕》正式預告片曝光，安娜法莉絲同台演出" [Robert Pattinson Hunts Predators: Ari Aster-Produced "Primetime" Unleashes New Trailer, Co-Starring Anna Faris]. Toy People News (in Chinese). Retrieved August 8, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 22, 2024). "Robert Pattinson, Lance Oppenheim Developing Crime Reporting Pic 'Primetime' For A24". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Primetime (feature film)". Film and Television Industry Alliance. November 25, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  19. ↑ Welles, Carlie (March 11, 2025). "Robert Pattinson is filming a movie in New Orleans". Axios. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Primetime warp photos". X.com. March 29, 2025. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Oprah Winfrey Supports Audra McDonald at Gypsy on Broadway, Plus Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, Heidi Klum and More". People. March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  22. ↑ Deville, Chris (March 13, 2025). "Phoebe Bridgers Rumored To Appear In Robert Pattinson Movie Primetime After Set Photos Surface". Stereogum. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Primetime set photos". X.com. March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Exclusive: 'Superman's Skyler Gisondo Joins 'Batman' Star Robert Pattinson in A24's Crime Drama 'Primetime'". September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Ari Balouzian Scoring Lance Oppenheim's 'Primetime'". Film Music Reporter. May 27, 2026. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  26. 1 2 Hibberd, James (August 17, 2026). "Chris Hansen Reacts to Robert Pattinson's 'Primetime' Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 19, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ "Chris Hansen questions 'motive' behind Robert Pattinson's 'Primetime'". USAToday.com. August 18, 2026. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 23, 2026). "Robert Pattinson A24 Movie 'Primetime' Sets Early Fall Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 7, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (April 20, 2026). "Lionsgate Play Confirms 'Heated Rivalry' Season 2 Pick-Up As Indian Streamer Unveils To Theatrical-First Plan & Hollywood Push". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  30. ↑ Nolfi, Joey (May 29, 2026). "To Catch a Predator star Chris Hansen cryptically reacts to Robert Pattinson playing him in new movie". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 19, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ↑ David, Clayton (August 20, 2026). "Chris Hansen Says He Refused to Sign His Rights Away in Order to Screen Robert Pattinson's 'Primetime'". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 21, 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 4 Abramovitch, Seth (August 26, 2026). "Chris Hansen Buys Ads Before Every Screening of A24's 'Primetime' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 26, 2026. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
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