Robert Pattinson‘s latest thriller is tracking to join A24’s list of polarizing, controversial films, which is a feat in itself considering the studio’s knack for pushing boundaries. It has already drawn the ire of its subject, who contends his depiction as a ratings-obsessed celebrity. Director Lance Oppenheim sets the record straight on their inspiration for the movie.
A meta-commentary on sensationalist journalism and reality TV, Primetime recounts the rise and fall of one of the most controversial network shows in history. Pattinson plays To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen, who for three years orchestrated the capture of sexual offenders in sting house operations, earning himself a reputation as a crusading vigilante. Speaking with MovieWeb, Oppenheim clarified that Primetime is not a biographical film, but rather a surreal psychological drama that recounts the height of Hansen’s career like a fever dream.
“I think the thing that we were looking to actually comes from his Theo Von interview. He talked about how Theo Von asked him how he deals with the darkness that he spends so much time in, and he says, ‘I just bury it deep down inside.’ I thought that was a really interesting answer, and I was curious what happens if we could sort of excavate that. What happens if we could live inside of it?”
Hansen had initially questioned Hollywood’s motives for making the film, asserting the producers only solicited his feedback after it was completed. He said he declined to attend a private screening after he was required to sign what he described as “a very restrictive agreement” that goes beyond a standard NDA.
“I’m excited for him to see the movie, and it’s a shame he hasn’t seen it yet,” Oppenheim said. “I know he has a lot of opinions about it. My hope is that his opinions change once he sees it, and once he experiences this.”
Hansen has been vocal about his misgivings over the film, which he considers “a complete work of fiction attached to a real name.” Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, he said Primetime‘s dark dramatization is an “insult” to the people who have dedicated their lives to protect children from predators. He acknowledged that his impression is based solely on the trailer and the film’s overall critical reception.
Oppenheim hopes Hansen will warm up to Primetime when he finally sees it, asserting it’s an attempt to depict the emotional toll such a show could take on someone who chooses to dwell in its darkness. “I really hope we can have a conversation, and at some point, I really want him to see the Cameo he made me in 2024 before the script came together,” he added, referencing the personalized message that spurred his drive to make the film.
- Release Date
-
September 25, 2026
- Runtime
-
110 minutes
- Director
-
Lance Oppenheim
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
