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Jonathan Lipnicki didn’t warn his family about ‘Primetime’ nude scene: ‘I’m sure they were quite surprised’
‘Jerry Maguire’ child star Jonathan Lipnicki tells EW that he didn’t warn his family about his full-frontal nude scene in ‘Primetime’ before they went to see the film, which stars Robert Pattinson as ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen.
‘Primetime’ reveals the story behind ‘To Catch a Predator’
Lance Oppenheim’s A24 film goes behind the scenes of the sting house. FSU and TSC students react to Robert Pattinson’s Chris Hansen.
‘Primetime’: Is catching predators justice or just entertainment?
Rating: ★★★½ Starring Robert Pattinson, Skyler Gisondo, Merritt Wever Directed by Lance Oppenheim Rated R Release Date: Sept. 25, 2026 A man waits unknowingly inside a sting house. His eyes draw up to the sound of curtains ruffling as Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson), host of Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator,” enters flamboyantly. Hansen descends...
MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Primetime'
In “Primetime,” Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, host of “To Catch a Predator,” an offshoot of NBC’s “Dateline” news program in the mid-2000s. Hansen and the show’s production team would
“Primetime:” The Tragedy of Ethics vs. Entertainment
A review of the newest A24 film, “Primetime” which follows Chris Hansen on his search for ratings and fame during his docu-series “To Catch A Predator” in the early 2000s. Starring the star of 2026, Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen.
Primetime Review: That’s Entertainment?
If you decide to see Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime, it’s important to remember the title as you watch. Yes, this is a biopic of sorts about Chris Hansen and his work on To Catch a Predator, but it is more accurately about the quest for fame and using people’s trauma to attract ratings. True crime entertainment continues to have a prominent place in many people’s television habits, and this film asks us to examine what that means both for those whose stories have become our viewing pleasure and those of us watching. Primetime starts as Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson) is told that his show, To Catch a Predator, is moving to a 9 PM spot opposite LOST. Chris and his producer, Andie (Merritt Wever), see this as an opportunity to make the program even more sensational, looking for bigger, more horrific predators. As part of their plan, they hire a young actor, Dan Plum (Skyler Gisondo), to play “Decoy Dan,” the person who greets the would-be predators who were catfished by Xavier Von Erck (Matthew Maher). Oppenheim, along with writers Ajon Singh and Luke Dittrich, is less concerned with an accurate retelling of the show as much as they are interested in interrogating the why of it all. That decision sometimes leaves Primetime feeling less like a biopic and more like a satirical look at the nature of programming like this. Visually, the movie is impressive. Oppenheim uses light and color effectively to cast Hansen as both villain and savior. Pattinson plays Hansen in an almost comical manner, as we see him wake his two young sons to watch a clip of the show, just to brag that he was moving into a prime spot on television. Even Andie struggles to accept a “nice” job when there is so much more fame to be found producing salacious true-crime content. Wever does an excellent job showing how the hunger for fame is not just in front of the camera, but in every aspect of the production. The heart of the movie, and the standout performance, belongs to Gisondo as Dan Plum. He is someone who just wants to get enough hours to be admitted into the Screen Actors Guild, and stumbles into this job without really knowing what it is. Throughout the film, we watch him suffer one trauma after another, ending with him witnessing the suicide of a District Attorney who is about to become the next unwitting star of Hansen’s show. If there is a sympathetic character in Primetime, it is Decoy Dan, and Gisondo plays him brilliantly. If you’re a fan of programming like To Catch a Predator, then Primetime will probably make you feel uncomfortable, and I think it’s worth sitting with that feeling and examining why we turn on shows that display the worst of humanity while we judge from our couches. Yes, it is correct to want to see people who would hurt children brought to justice, but perhaps it shouldn’t be something that we watch as entertainment. Rating: 3.5/5 This review originally appeared in The Dominion Post on September 25, 2026. MacGuffin or Meaning: Film & TV Reviews and Reflections is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Is 'Primetime' a true story? We fact-check the Chris Hansen thriller
Spoiler alert! We're discussing major details about the plot of "Primetime" (in theaters now). Stop reading if you haven't seen the movie yet and don't want to know what happens.
How To Catch a Predator Turned Crime Stings Into Prime-Time Entertainment - FINCHANNELTo Catch a Predator: How Chris Hansen’s NBC Show Changed Reality TV
To Catch a Predator became a ratings hit by confronting suspected child-sex offenders on camera. Its methods, police cooperation and the death of Bill Conradt sparked a lasting debate over journalism and entertainment.
“Survivor 51”, “Line of Fire”, and Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen top this week’s Must List
Jae Stephens’ “Audacity” and “Exhibit G” round out our picks for the weekend of Sept. 25.
‘Survivor 51,’ ‘Line of Fire,’ and Robert Pattinson in ‘Primetime’ top this week’s Must List
See EW’s top pop culture picks for the week, including ‘Survivor 51,’ new family drama ‘Line of Fire,’ and Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen in ‘Primetime.’
New movies to watch this weekend: See 'Primetime' and 'Heart of the Beast' in theaters, rent or buy 'Super Troopers 3,' stream 'Tuner' on Paramount+
In theaters now: Robert Pattinson wows in his turn as "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen — and don't underestimate the power of Brad Pitt and a dog.
'Primetime' review: Robert Pattinson makes Chris Hansen a scary clown
'To Catch A Predator' gets the 'American Pyscho' treatment.
Is 'Primetime' worth watching? Robert Pattinson is 'dizzying' — but critics are divided on the movie.
The film received a lengthy standing ovation at its premiere but has been called an “insult” by “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen.
How Robert Pattinson cracked Chris Hansen's voice for 'Primetime'
Robert Pattinson had no intention of playing Chris Hansen.
How “Primetime” director convinced Robert Pattinson to play Chris Hansen: Four Lokos, gummies, and a late rewrite
Director Lance Oppenheim reveals the moment the actor decided to star in the film after initially boarding only as a producer.
So this is why Chris Hansen is upset about his portrayal in 'Primetime
Robert Pattinson is riveting as the host of 'To Catch a Predator' but viewers probably should take this version of events with many grains of salt.
Robert Pattinson responds to Chris Hansen’s ‘Primetime’ casting criticism
Robert Pattinson addresses Chris Hansen’s ‘Primetime’ casting criticism after former ‘To Catch a Predator’ host named the actor he would have chosen to portray him in a biopic.
Robert Pattinson Is Disturbing and Alluring in Primetime, a Sordid Movie About a Sordid TV Show
Pattinson plays 'To Catch a Predator' host Chris Hansen in Lance Oppenheim's first narrative feature film.
How A24's 'Primetime' depicts 'To Catch a Predator' host Chris Hansen
A24's sweeps-ploitation drama may deflate the TV host's ego, but it's so in love with its protagonist it can't see he's the least compelling character in the movie.
In 'Primetime,' Robert Pattinson takes on the 'irresistible' role of Chris Hansen
Robert Pattinson didn't plan to play Chris Hansen in “Primetime,” which debuts Saturday at the Venice Film Festival, but it became irresistible. He started as a producer on the film
Robert Pattinson Responds to Chris Hansen’s Criticism Over His Portrayal in ‘Primetime’: ‘I Hope He Likes the Movie’
Robert Pattinson responded to Chris Hansen’s concerns over ‘Primetime’ during a press conference for the movie at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Why Chris Hansen hasn't seen the new film about 'To Catch a Predator'
Chris Hansen walked out of a screening of A24's "Primetime" rather than sign an NDA. Now he's buying ads before the Robert Pattinson film, in theaters Sept. 25.
Chris Hansen questions 'motive' behind Robert Pattinson film about him
Chris Hansen has some questions about "Hollywood's motive" behind a new film about him.
'Primetime' star Robert Pattinson shocks fans with Chris Hansen transformation in 'unsettling' trailer
The trailer for A24's "Primetime" reveals Robert Pattinson's uncanny Chris Hansen transformation, sparking Oscar buzz and true crime debate.