Veteran television journalist Chris Hansen has slammed Robert Pattinson’s Primetime for turning his Predator sting work into a horror movie. The former To Catch a Predator host called the approach an “insult” to people who protect children from predators.
Hansen also questioned how closely Primetime reflects his real-life work. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said, “There wouldn’t be a movie if I hadn’t created the Predator investigative series, so that would not be possible without my work.” He noted that Pattinson has expressed hope that the movie adds to his legacy.
Hansen also objected to the film’s fictionalized approach and added, “Based upon what I’ve seen in the trailer and my understanding of what has been written about the film, they wanted to create something much darker and way more dramatic.”
The 66-year-old TV presenter also addressed what he sees as Hollywood’s treatment of the subject. He said, “I think it’s an insult to the thousands of men and women who work hard every day to protect children from predators.” Hansen later referenced Harvey Weinstein while criticizing the industry’s approach to darker storytelling.
Chris Hansen was denied entry to the Primetime screening
Primetime premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, with Pattinson playing a fictionalized version of Hansen. Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the film draws from Hansen’s television work and a 2007 Esquire article about a controversial sting operation. Pattinson also serves as a producer on the project.
Before the premiere, Hansen was invited to a private A24 screening but refused to sign an NDA. As quoted by Variety, he said, “The lawyers at A24 wanted me to sign away my rights to my name, image, and brand, essentially, as well as any potential legal rights that would come out of the movie. I couldn’t sign that, so they didn’t show me the film. I went all the way over there [A24 offices].”
However, sources described the scenario differently. They said Hansen was asked to sign a standard NDA requiring screening attendees not to reveal spoilers publicly and to protect the film’s intellectual property. Hansen’s description appeared to cover more than a traditional NDA.
In response, Hansen purchased pre-show ad space across theaters showing Primetime to promote TruBlu, his true-crime streaming network.
Co-starring Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers, Primetime will hit the theaters on September 25, 2026.