TL;DR
Get movie nights delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Chris Hansen has watched A24’s ‘Primetime’ and said its portrayal felt bizarre and detached from his experience investigating cases. The Lance Oppenheim-directed thriller, starring Robert Pattinson as Hansen, is now in theaters. Hansen’s reaction follows months of public comments about the film, including concerns over a screening agreement.
“It was so bizarre and so in-and-out of reality,” Hansen said in a video shared on X on Friday. He added that he was not objective because the character was based on him, but said the film felt detached from what he had experienced during investigations and afterward. “I’m not sure what the point of it was,” he said.
Directed by Lance Oppenheim, ‘Primetime’ follows a version of Hansen as he attempts to make television history with NBC’s ‘To Catch a Predator.’ The hidden-camera series, which ran from 2004 to 2007, staged stings involving adult men seeking sex with minors online. The film draws on Esquire’s 2007 article “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die.”
Hansen’s response follows weeks of public attention around the film. He had previously discussed the possibility of legal action and said he planned to buy advertising space before some screenings to promote TruBlu, his true-crime streaming network. The available account does not establish whether either plan was carried out.
Hansen Challenges the Film’s Portrayal
Hansen’s reaction gives audiences a direct response from the person at the center of the story, while also underscoring that ‘Primetime’ is a dramatic film rather than Hansen’s account of events. His criticism concerns the film’s relationship to his experience; it does not, by itself, establish how closely the movie follows the Esquire article or what creative approach its filmmakers intended.
The disagreement may shape how viewers approach a film built around a real television figure and a controversial investigative program. It also keeps attention on the distinction between a dramatized portrayal and documented events from the show’s history.
From Screening Dispute to Theaters
Before seeing the film, Hansen said he had been invited to a private screening by members of the production team. Last month, he appeared on Fox News and said he had been asked to sign what he called “a very restrictive agreement” to attend an advance showing. The agreement was an NDA that preview audiences were asked to sign ahead of the unreleased film to prevent spoilers and protect intellectual property. Hansen reportedly declined to sign and consequently did not attend that screening.
At the Venice Film Festival premiere, Pattinson said he hoped Hansen would view the portrayal as “some kind of compliment” from people he had inspired. Hansen has since watched the film and publicly offered a different assessment.
““It was so bizarre and so in-and-out of reality.””
— Chris Hansen, in a video shared on X
Questions About the Film’s Approach
Hansen has not explained which scenes or aspects of ‘Primetime’ he believes are detached from reality, and the available details do not include a response from Oppenheim or A24 to his comments. It is also unclear whether Hansen’s earlier consideration of legal action led to any formal steps. His proposed promotional advertising for TruBlu has not been confirmed as completed.
Theatrical Release Continues
‘Primetime’ is now in theaters, where audiences can watch the dramatization for themselves. No further public response from Hansen, the director or A24 is included in the available reporting. Any clarification about the film’s choices or Hansen’s earlier plans would depend on additional statements from those involved.
Key Questions
What did Chris Hansen say after watching ‘Primetime’?
He called the film “bizarre” and said it felt detached from his experience investigating cases. He also said he was unsure what its point was.
Who plays Chris Hansen in the film?
Robert Pattinson portrays Hansen in the thriller directed by Lance Oppenheim.
What is ‘Primetime’ about?
The film follows a dramatized version of Hansen as he works on NBC’s ‘To Catch a Predator,’ the hidden-camera series that ran from 2004 to 2007.
Why did Hansen miss an earlier screening?
Hansen reportedly declined to sign an NDA requested of advance preview audiences, so he did not attend that screening. He later watched the film.
Source: Deadline
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
