Director responds to Chris Hansen’s criticism of ‘Primetime’ film

Director Lance Oppenheim has responded to criticisms from journalist Chris Hansen regarding the upcoming A24 film ‘Primetime’. The movie, scheduled for release on September 25, 2026, features Robert Pattinson portraying Hansen during the era of the ‘To Catch a Predator’ series.

Hansen has reportedly described the film as ‘an insult’. In response, Oppenheim expressed a desire for Hansen to view the production, noting that the inspiration for the film actually stemmed from a Cameo video Hansen made for him several years ago. Oppenheim described being fascinated by the transition of the crusading journalist into a more performative, meme-like figure.

Critical reviews of the film describe Pattinson’s portrayal as a highly fictionalized and intense version of Hansen, exploring the contradictions of the original series—specifically the tension between its mission to expose predators and the ethically fraught, ratings-driven methods used to achieve it.