Primetime draws inspiration from the rise of television newsman Chris Hansen and NBC's To Catch a Predator, as well as the sensationalistic style of journalism that the program helped popularize. Premiering in 2004 as a recurring segment on Dateline NBC, the sting operation series involved Hansen's team working with the online watchdog organization Perverted-Justice and local law enforcement agencies to arrange meetings with suspected adult-to-minor sexual predators. Hansen would then confront the suspects on camera while police waited nearby to make arrests.

During its run, To Catch a Predator was one of the most talked-about programs on television. Supporters viewed it as a valuable tool for identifying sexual predators and raising awareness about child exploitation, while critics argued that it blurred the line between journalism and law enforcement, pushing the boundaries of both media ethics and entertainment.

The series reached its most controversial moment in Murphy, Texas, in 2006. One of the targets was the town's assistant district attorney, who died by suicide before police could arrest him. The incident sparked lawsuits, investigations, and renewed criticism of the show's confrontational methods, even as it continued to attract strong ratings. To Catch a Predator ultimately came to an end amid ongoing debates over the ethics of televised predator stings and sensationalized justice.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, Primetime stars Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen. The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers, making her feature film debut. Rather than serving as a straightforward retelling of To Catch a Predator, the film examines the media spectacle surrounding the program and explores the complex relationship between televised justice, public accountability, and ratings-driven entertainment. ~Megan Parsons