Chris Hansen slams Robert Pattinson film ‘Primetime’

The A24 film ‘Primetime’, starring Robert Pattinson, has achieved a strong box office debut, earning approximately $19.2 million in North America. Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the crime drama dramatizes the rise and fall of the NBC series ‘To Catch a Predator’, which aired from 2004 to 2007.

Real-life host Chris Hansen has expressed intense dissatisfaction with the film, describing his portrayal as “bizarre,” “unhinged,” and “detached from reality.” Hansen criticized the film for being “98 per cent pure fiction” and specifically objected to scenes depicting him as an “aloof, detached father.” He also noted that the film’s dark, horror-like tone felt disconnected from the actual investigative work performed by his teams.

Despite the controversy, the film has received positive critical reception, holding an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While Hansen gave Pattinson’s performance a “D” grade due to the inaccuracy of the characterization, he acknowledged the actor’s talent. The film’s narrative includes the controversial sting operation involving Texas Assistant District Attorney Bill Conradt, which contributed to the original show's cancellation.