# Alex Winter on Humanizing Predators in 'Primetime'

> Alex Winter explains how he portrayed a predator as human in Lance Oppenheim's 'Primetime' film.
- Title: Alex Winter on Humanizing Predators in 'Primetime' | Shortify
- Summary: Alex Winter explains how he portrayed a predator as human in Lance Oppenheim's 'Primetime' film. Alex Winter discusses humanizing Bill Conradt in 'Primetime'…
- Keywords: alex winter, primetime, lance oppenheim, bill conradt, to catch a predator, nbc, robert pattinson, phoebe bridgers, creed bratton, jeff zucker, the office, bill and ted
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/alex-winter-primetime-predator-interview-1235646361
- Author: Andy Greene
- Published: 2026-10-25T15:13:16+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: alex winter, primetime, lance oppenheim, bill conradt, to catch a predator, nbc, robert pattinson, phoebe bridgers, creed bratton, jeff zucker, the office, bill and ted
## Bill Conradt's suicide
On Nov. 5, 2006, Texas District Attorney Bill Conradt committed suicide with a Browning .380 pistol after communicating online with someone he thought was a 13-year-old boy.
## NBC's 'To Catch a Predator' show
NBC's hit tabloid news show To Catch a Predator led to Conradt's suicide after he was deceived by an adult working for Perverted Justice.
## Lance Oppenheim's film
Lance Oppenheim's Primetime features Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen, who is expected to win a Best Actor Oscar nomination.
## Alex Winter's role
Alex Winter portrays Bill Conradt in Primetime, known for his Bill & Ted trilogy and documentary work on internet impacts.
## Winter's research
Winter researched Bill Conradt's work environment and life, talking to DAs and ADAs in his region.
## Sympathy for Conradt
Winter expressed sympathy for Conradt, calling him a 'tragic case' with deep loneliness and inner torment.
## Predator portrayal
Winter aimed to humanize Conradt without exonerating him, focusing on his flaws and need for help.
## Casting choices
Oppenheim cast Alex Winter, Phoebe Bridgers, Creed Bratton, and Jeff Zucker in Primetime for authentic performances.
## Horror sequence
The film's climax involves authorities approaching Conradt's house, creating a horror-like tension.
## Humanizing predators
Winter believes humanizing predators helps survivors by showing they need help, not just punishment.
## Critique of 'To Catch a Predator'
Winter criticized NBC's show for providing 'pure, low-hanging fruit' vigilante justice without helping survivors or predators.
## Internet's impact
Winter discussed how early internet had great promise but became weaponized by tech oligarchs and AI.
## Broadway return
Winter reunited with Keanu Reeves in Waiting for Godot on Broadway, a role that reconnected him with theater.
## Keanu partnership
Winter and Keanu Reeves bonded through trust and shared trauma from Bill and Ted films, enabling their Broadway success.
## Future projects
Winter is co-producing Arthur Miller's Incident at Vichy in New York in May, continuing his theater work.
## Lance and Nathan Fielder
Winter learned Lance Oppenheim was secretly collaborating with Nathan Fielder on You Can See Everything.
## Key takeaway

Alex Winter discusses humanizing Bill Conradt in 'Primetime' to challenge cultural stigma around predators.