A24 releases the Primetime trailer starring Robert Pattinson. The official clip was posted online, giving audiences a first visual taste of the upcoming film and confirming the involvement of the former Dateline NBC host.
Fans get a first look at the film that re‑imagines the infamous To Catch a Predator format, with Pattinson playing the real‑life host Chris Hansen. The trailer also teases a surprise appearance by former NBCUniversal chief Jeff Zucker, who plays himself and comments on the ratings gamble that drives the story.
Jeff Zucker’s cameo fuels trailer buzz
In the clip, Zucker leans into the camera and delivers a backhanded compliment that has already sparked conversation online. He says, “I don’t really like your show, but America loves it. So I’m going to move you to primetime,” hinting at the ratings potential that fuels the narrative. The cameo positions Zucker as a figure who is excited about the commercial upside of Hansen’s investigative work.
“I don’t really like your show, but America loves it. So I’m going to move you to primetime.”
— Jeff Zucker, former NBCUniversal chief
Hansen’s reaction follows, with the host jumping up in a network hallway and exclaiming, “We’re gonna be bigger than Lost!” The trailer also highlights director Lance Oppenheim’s vision and a supporting cast that includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher and Bokeem Woodbine. Oppenheim, known for the film Some Kind of Heaven, brings a modern cinematic style to the story. To Catch a Predator originally ran from 2004 to 2007 as a recurring segment on Dateline NBC, working with the watchdog group Perverted Justice to lure suspected predators to a sting house. The program was canceled after a suspect shot himself when police and NBC cameras entered his home, a legal and ethical fallout that the new film revisits while adding a contemporary twist.
Primetime is slated to hit theaters on September 25, giving audiences a chance to see how the controversial program is re‑interpreted for the big screen and how the blend of real‑life figures and fictional storytelling is presented.
Frequently asked questions
What is the release date of the film Primetime?
The film Primetime is set to hit theaters on September 25.
Who plays the role of Chris Hansen in the film Primetime?
Robert Pattinson plays the real‑life host Chris Hansen in the film Primetime.
What is the film Primetime based on?
The film Primetime is based on the infamous To Catch a Predator format, which originally ran as a recurring segment on Dateline NBC.
Who directed the film Primetime?
The film Primetime is directed by Lance Oppenheim, known for the film Some Kind of Heaven.
