Chris Hansen criticizes Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’ in latest viewing reaction

Former “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen recently shared his thoughts on the dramatized film “Primetime,” produced by A24, during an episode of his podcast, “Have a Seat with Chris Hansen.” Scheduled for release on Friday, “Primetime” offers a fictionalized account of Hansen’s life as the iconic television journalist whose investigations into online predators captivated audiences. Hansen described the film as overly dramatic and noted that he found it to be detached from reality, characterizing it as akin to a “fever dream.” He further critiqued Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of him, assigning the performance a disappointing grade of “D.”

The film, set in 2006, chronicles the rise of Hansen’s investigative approach that often involved collaborating with law enforcement and the watchdog organization Perverted Justice. This collaboration led to the apprehension of adult men arriving at sting operations to meet underage individuals, a theme that provoked mixed reactions, particularly regarding the ethical implications of potential entrapment. Critics have long questioned whether the methods employed by Hansen’s team crossed legal boundaries.

In a segment filmed after watching “Primetime” at an AMC theater in Times Square, Hansen expressed his reservations about the accuracy of his cinematic portrayal. He conveyed skepticism regarding the film’s disconnection from his real-life experiences, emphasizing that the character presented in the movie feels alien to the investigative work he conducted both then and now.

Throughout his podcast, Hansen elaborated on inaccuracies within the film, such as incorrect representations involving Jeff Zucker and Stone Phillips, insisting that these events never took place. He particularly took issue with the depiction of his parenting style, which he claims does not reflect his genuine relationship with his children. Hansen stated that he believed A24 and the film’s director, Lance Oppenheim, intentionally excluded him from the creative process in order to craft a narrative that diverges significantly from truth.

Hansen’s commitment to the ongoing fight against child predators remains unwavering, as evidenced by his current project, “Takedown with Chris Hansen.” In the wake of “Primetime’s” release, Hansen’s streaming network, TruBlu, also recently debuted a trailer for a new documentary focused on his life and work, titled “I’m Chris Hansen.”

In conclusion, Hansen’s response to “Primetime” underscores broader concerns about the ethical implications of dramatizing real-life events and the responsibilities filmmakers hold in portraying factual narratives.

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