Chris Hansen Calls Robert Pattinson Film 'Primetime' Bizarre
The 'To Catch A Predator' host shared his initial reactions after seeing a movie based on his controversial show.
Chris Hansen, the host of the former NBC series "To Catch A Predator," has described the new film "Primetime," which stars Robert Pattinson as Hansen, as "bizarre" and "detached from reality." Hansen shared his initial reactions in a video posted to his X account shortly after viewing the movie in theaters.
"It was so bizarre, and so in and out of reality, it's hard for me... obviously I'm not objective because the character is, you know, me, but it was so detached from reality or anything I've ever experienced, then or now, doing the investigations," Hansen stated. He also expressed uncertainty about the film's purpose, adding, "I just think, I'm not sure what the point of it was."
"Primetime" fictionalizes the making of "To Catch A Predator," a show that ran as a segment on Dateline NBC. In the series, Hansen confronted individuals lured to meetups by adult decoys posing as minors they had contacted online. The show concluded in 2007 following the death of one target, Bill Conradt, who died by suicide as authorities, with Hansen and his camera crew present, moved to arrest him.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to a seven-minute standing ovation. Hansen has questioned "Hollywood's motive" in producing the project, though he noted that his family "seem to think it's a pretty good imitation" of him.
Hansen indicated that he had been in discussions for a movie about "To Catch A Predator" years ago and had considered Denis Leary as a potential actor to portray him. He also mentioned he was scheduled to see the full movie privately for a more in-depth assessment.
"Primetime," directed by Lance Oppenheim, is slated for theatrical release on September 25. The cast includes Anna Faris and Phoebe Bridgers. Oppenheim is known for documentaries such as "Some Kind of Heaven" and "Spermworld."