Fort Worth – A24’s latest narrative feature, Primetime, offers a bold, unsettling look at the infamous “To Catch a Predator” television program. Director Lance Oppenheim, in his feature debut, centers the story on Chris Hansen, portrayed by Robert Pattinson, as he pursues adult men who seek sexual encounters with illegal immigrants.
Local connection
The film draws directly from a real 2006 incident in Murphy, Texas, where Rockwall County District Attorney Bill Conradt shot himself during a raid prompted by Hansen’s crew. The event, chronicled in an Esquire article, contributed to the eventual cancellation of the NBC series.
Cast and characters
Alex Winter plays Conradt, while Anna Faris appears as Hansen’s wife, Mary, whose marriage unravels under the pressure of the show. Matthew Maher portrays Xavier Von Erck, the leader of the vigilante group Perverted Justice, which helped Hansen trap suspects by posing as minors online. Skyler Gisondo delivers a memorable turn as “Decoy Dan,” based on real‑life volunteer Dan Schrack, and singer‑songwriter Phoebe Bridgers takes on the role of another decoy, Del Harvey.
Performance highlights
Pattinson’s portrayal has been praised as one of the year’s best. He adopts a crisp newscaster cadence, rehearsing lines in front of a mirror with a Rod Serling‑like intensity. The film’s most compelling moments occur when Hansen’s on‑camera persona cracks, revealing a man haunted by personal scandals and the relentless pursuit of the ultimate predator.
Supporting cameos include Tony Revolori as a former Marine, Bob Ari as a rabbi, and former child actor Jonathan Lipnicki in a brief, comic‑relief scene.
Creative liberties
While the movie is rooted in true events, Oppenheim takes artistic license—such as depicting NBC chief Jeff Zucker (playing himself) moving the show to compete with ABC’s “Lost.” These fictional elements serve to heighten the drama and underscore the psychological toll on Hansen.
Overall, Primetime is not an origin story for the series but a character‑driven exploration of media sensationalism, moral ambiguity, and the personal costs of public crusades. The film is now playing in theaters nationwide.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
