Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Robert Pattinson Turns Chris Hansen Criticism Into Primetime Role
Primetime is a movie inspired by Chris Hansen’s television show To Catch a Predator.
Robert Pattinson plays a fictionalized version of Hansen.
Pattinson originally helped produce the movie but gradually decided he wanted to act in it.
Hansen said Pattinson’s performance looked too dramatic, though he also said it resembled him.
Pattinson treated that criticism as partly a compliment.
He said Hansen’s presence helped inspire the character and that he hoped Hansen would enjoy the film.
Hansen was not involved in making the movie and objected to signing an agreement before seeing it.
The movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received a reported nine-minute standing ovation.
Robert Pattinson initially produced Primetime before becoming attached to play Chris Hansen.
Chris Hansen called Pattinson’s performance overly dramatic but acknowledged a strong imitation in the trailer.
Pattinson said Hansen’s reaction was kind of a compliment and hoped he would like the film.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim, Primetime draws on To Catch a Predator and a 2007 Esquire article about a 2006 sting operation.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival with a reported nine-minute standing ovation and is scheduled for theatrical release September 25.
- Who
- Robert Pattinson, Chris Hansen, director Lance Oppenheim, writer Ajon Singh, and producer-actor collaborators are central to the story.
- What
- Pattinson plays a character based on Chris Hansen in Primetime, while Hansen has criticized the performance and the filmmakers’ approach.
- When
- Primetime premiered Saturday at the Venice Film Festival and is scheduled to begin theatrical showings September 25.
- Where
- The world premiere took place at the Venice Film Festival; the film is set for theatrical release.
- Why
- The film explores the people and ambitions surrounding Hansen’s To Catch a Predator television phenomenon and a related 2006 sting operation.
Chris Hansen’s Criticism
Pattinson and Filmmakers’ View
Pattinson’s performance
Chris Hansen’s Criticism
Hansen said Pattinson had practiced imitating him and that the performance was overly dramatic, although he acknowledged a good imitation in the trailer.
Pattinson and Filmmakers’ View
Pattinson said Hansen’s reaction was kind of a compliment and emphasized Hansen’s magnetic presence and influence on the character.
Hansen’s involvement
Chris Hansen’s Criticism
Hansen was not involved in making the movie, questioned the filmmakers’ motives, and objected to signing a legal agreement before a private screening.
Pattinson and Filmmakers’ View
The filmmakers presented the movie as an exploration of the different ambitions within the television operation, including a journalistic crusader, a television producer, and a Hollywood dreamer.
Who should portray Hansen
Chris Hansen’s Criticism
Hansen has said he always thought Denis Leary should have played him.
Pattinson and Filmmakers’ View
Pattinson ultimately became attached to the role after initially working on the film as a producer and trying to shape it for another actor.
- Film
- Primetime
- Lead actor
- Robert Pattinson
- Director
- Lance Oppenheim
- Source material
- Chris Hansen’s To Catch a Predator and Luke Dittrich’s 2007 Esquire article, “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die”
- Hansen’s assessment
- He called Pattinson’s performance overly dramatic but said it was a pretty good imitation.
- Festival response
- The film received a reported nine-minute standing ovation at its Venice world premiere.
- Theatrical release
- Scheduled to begin September 25
