Robert Pattinson has seemingly vanished into the role of Chris Hansen, the former host of To Catch a Predator, in a blood-pumping teaser for the upcoming A24 film Primetime. The segment, originally a recurring feature on Dateline NBC, saw Hansen using adult decoys posing as minors to ensnare suspected child molesters. The show ended controversially in 2007 after one target, Bill Conradt, died by suicide during a SWAT raid that Hansen's camera crew was filming.
Pattinson's Uncanny Impression
Nearly two decades later, Pattinson, 40, has delivered an eerily accurate portrayal of Hansen in the first trailer for Primetime, released Wednesday. When he utters the iconic line, "I'm Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC..." his voice is nearly indistinguishable from the real Hansen. Fans flooded social media with praise, calling him "the GOAT" and predicting an Oscar nomination.
Trailer Highlights
The trailer is a propulsive montage of reenactments of To Catch a Predator segments, intercut with behind-the-scenes moments in the control room. Skyler Gisondo appears to play one of the decoys, while Phoebe Bridgers, Merritt Wever, and Matthew Maher seem to portray crew members. However, it is Pattinson's performance that takes center stage as he flawlessly mimics Hansen confronting a suspect.
In one scene, Hansen's character says, "What would have happened if I wasn't here? You see how this looks, right? At the end of the day, a man must be held accountable for the decisions that he makes. Do you agree?" Then comes the notorious reveal: "Do you watch television? Well, there's something you should know. I'm Chris Hansen with Dateline NBC and you're about to be a part of television history."
Fan Reactions
Viewers were thunderstruck, with comments like "No freaking way that's Pattinson's voice" and "Pattinson's range will be studied for decades." Another fan wrote, "Robert Pattinson is like what if Gary Oldman and Nicolas Cage had a baby. I feel like this might be his best shot at an Oscar."
About the Film
Primetime is the first fictional feature film directed by Lance Oppenheim, known for documentaries such as Some Kind of Heaven and Spermworld. The cast also includes Anna Faris. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States in September.
