Jonathan Lipnicki Cried Over His Role in A24's 'Primetime'

Jonathan Lipnicki cried on stage while recalling his role in A24's Primetime. He spoke in a conversation with Variety at the Coronado Island Film Festival on Nov. 5.

In the film, Lipnicki plays a man caught by Robert Pattinson's character, Chris Hansen, during Catch a Predator. That was a television series in which decoys posed as children and confronted men who arranged to meet them. Pattinson plays the real Hansen, who hosted the show.

Director Lance Oppenheim asked Lipnicki to read for the part. The role stayed with him after filming. He said he went home and cried after shooting his scenes.

He also described a need to shed the character once the cameras stopped. Lipnicki said he felt he had to wash himself clean of the role and not think about it.

The Variety conversation was moderated in partnership with the Coronado Island Film Festival, where Lipnicki also debuted his new film Williston. The feature is written and directed by Adam Seidel, and Lipnicki serves as a producer on it.

For a performer, a part like this can mean carrying difficult material long after a shoot wraps. Lipnicki's account puts that weight on the record in his own words, and it is the part of the evening that drew the most attention.