The former “To Catch a Predator” host admits, “Obviously I’m not objective because the character is, you know, me.”

Chris Hansen shares reaction to seeing Primetime: ‘So detached from reality’

The former “To Catch a Predator” host admits, “Obviously I’m not objective because the character is, you know, me.”

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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on September 25, 2026 7:57 p.m. ET

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Robert Pattinson in ‘Primetime’; Chris Hansen on ‘To Catch a Predator’. Credit:

- Chris Hansen ventured into theaters to see *Primetime* with a crowd.

- Robert Pattinson portrays Hansen in the film, which traces the origins of his controversial* Dateline* segment *To Catch a Predator*.

- Hansen has shared his reaction, saying he wasn’t sure “what the point” of the movie was.

Chris Hansen finally got to “take a seat” and see what *Primetime* had to say about his work.

The former host of *To Catch a Predator*, whom Robert Pattinson portrays in the dark thriller from director Lance Oppenheim, has not minced his words in the months leading up to the film’s debut. Hansen has repeatedly lamented his frustrations with the project, questioned “Hollywood’s motive” in making the movie, and critiqued Pattinson’s portrayal of him. But of course, all of that commentary came before Hansen had actually seen the movie for himself.

So where does Hansen stand on *Primetime* now that he’s watched the movie in its entirety? In a short video filmed outside a theater, Hansen promised to share his full thoughts Friday evening, but gave a sneak peek at his initial reaction.

“It was so bizarre and so in and out of reality, it’s hard for me to...” Hansen said, his voice trailing off. “Obviously I’m not objective because the character is, you know, me, but it was so detached from reality or anything I’ve experienced then or now doing the investigations. I’m not sure what the point of it was.”

Robert Pattinson in ‘Primetime’.

In a longer video posted hours later, Hansen polled some moviegoers and sat down with Fox News host Jesse Watters to discuss *Primetime*. Asked by Watters if he’d recommend the film, Hansen said, “If you’re a fan of A24, if you’re a fan of Robert Pattinson, you know, make up your own mind [whether to] go see it. But realize that when you do go see it that it is absolutely a fictional portrayal of me, of my colleagues, of the series, and of the very hard, diligent enterprise work that we did then and do now.”

He was also asked to grade Pattinson’s work in *Primetime*, and gave the actor a D. (“Tough grade,” Watters said.)

Touted as more fever dream than conventional biopic, *Primetime* explores the origins of Hansen’s controversial* Dateline* segment, which used hidden cameras to expose and capture alleged pedophiles trying to meet underage teens in online chat rooms.

Hansen previously had the opportunity to view *Primetime* at a private screening ahead of its release, but said he declined when the studio requested that he sign a “very restrictive agreement” that barred him from taking legal action against A24.

Chris Hansen doesn’t regret controversial ‘To Catch a Predator’ sting that ended in prosecutor’s suicide

'To Catch a Predator' decoy wanted to warn would-be pedophiles about hidden cameras: 'Go home'

“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,” Hansen claimed in August. (A source disputed Hansen’s account, telling EW that the journalist was asked to sign a standard NDA required of any individual viewing an unreleased film.)

Before seeing the film, Hansen made it clear that he wasn’t thrilled about* Primetime*’s existence. The journalist said that while he was vaguely aware the film was in the works, he wasn’t involved in making it and, based on initial trailers, didn’t approve of how it portrayed his work.

“Robert Pattinson has said that he hopes the movie adds to my legacy, and I appreciate that,” Hansen told *The Hollywood Reporter* earlier this month. “But you still have something that is a complete work of fiction attached to a real name.”

He continued, “I think it’s an insult to the thousands of men and women who work hard every day to protect children from predators. They turn something that is very positive, very challenging and not without risk into what is essentially a horror film.”

For their part, Pattinson and Oppenheim were hopeful about how Hansen would react to the film when the subject was broached at *Primetime*‘s Venice Film Festival premiere.

“I hope, when the time comes, that he sees it,” the filmmaker said. “And I’m excited to hear what he has to say about it.”

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Pattinson added, “I would hope in some ways, the amount of inspiration that his character has given so many people who are involved in this film for years now, I hope it’s some kind of compliment.”

[*This article has been to reflect Hansen’s longer reaction video.*]

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