Chris Hansen Rips Robert Pattinson’s ‘Bizarre’ Portrayal in ‘Primetime’

America September 27, 2026 5 mins read

Chris Hansen Rips Robert Pattinson’s ‘Bizarre’ Portrayal in ‘Primetime’

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Chris Hansen has delivered a blunt assessment of Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of him in the new film “Primetime,” calling the performance “bizarre” and saying it bears little resemblance to his experience as the journalist behind “To Catch a Predator.”

“It was so bizarre and so in-and-out of reality,” Hansen said on his “Have A Seat With Chris Hansen” podcast. He added that the portrayal was “so detached from reality or anything I’ve experienced then or now doing the investigation.”

Hansen acknowledged that he could not be completely objective because Pattinson’s character is based on him.

“I’m not sure what the point of it was,” Hansen said.

Chris Hansen Calls Pattinson’s Portrayal ‘Detached’ From Reality

Hansen, 67, became widely known for hosting NBC’s “Dateline” series “To Catch a Predator,” which aired from 2004 to 2007. The program featured undercover operations targeting adults suspected of attempting to meet minors for sexual purposes.

In his review of “Primetime,” Hansen described Pattinson’s version of him as “so detached, so unhinged, so dark, so unlikeable.”

Hansen said he watched the film with about 13 members of his former production crew. According to Hansen, the reaction among some of his former and current colleagues was also negative.

“It’s upset my colleagues, current and former,” he said.

The film is directed by Lance Oppenheim and takes inspiration from Hansen and the cultural phenomenon surrounding “To Catch a Predator.” Rather than serving as a conventional biography, “Primetime” approaches its subject through a fictionalized psychological-thriller framework.

Chris Hansen Questions the Film’s Approach

Hansen also criticized Oppenheim’s creative direction, saying the director appeared determined to create a dark, horror-like movie.

“He wanted to create a horror-like film with interesting photography and didn’t want to hear anything else,” Hansen said.

Hansen argued that the filmmakers did not sufficiently consider what he believes the television investigations accomplished.

“He didn’t want to have his mind polluted by anything positive that this actually achieved over the last 22 years,” Hansen said.

Hansen further suggested that the film could be interpreted as an attempt to portray him negatively.

“In a way, it’s a hit piece on me and the series, which is weird,” he said.

Neither Pattinson nor Oppenheim immediately responded to Page Six's request for comment, according to the publication.

Robert Pattinson Offers a Different Perspective

Pattinson has previously addressed Hansen's concerns and said he hopes the movie is ultimately viewed as a compliment.

At the Venice Film Festival, Pattinson said the film was not intended to be a straightforward account of Hansen's life. He described the project as being inspired by the broader fascination surrounding “To Catch a Predator” and Hansen's cultural impact.

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

That distinction is central to the disagreement. Hansen is evaluating the film against his own experiences, while Pattinson has characterized the project as something broader than a traditional biopic.

Chris Hansen Previously Questioned the Casting

Hansen had already expressed reservations about Pattinson being selected to portray him.

In August, Hansen said he did not have a role in choosing the actor. He recalled that he had discussed a script years earlier and envisioned actor Denis Leary playing him.

“I didn’t get to choose my own guy,” Hansen said on the “Serialously” podcast.

Hansen has also previously indicated that he would consider whether to pursue legal action after seeing how he is portrayed. Page Six reported that Hansen had been denied entry to a screening after declining to sign a nondisclosure agreement, while A24 said it had sent him the agreement and invited feedback.

‘To Catch a Predator’ Legacy

The controversy arrives as “Primetime” brings renewed attention to the legacy of “To Catch a Predator.”

The NBC program became one of the most recognizable investigative television franchises of the 2000s. Hansen confronted men who had communicated online with individuals posing as minors, often immediately before police became involved.

The program was also controversial. Questions surrounding the boundaries between journalism, entertainment and law enforcement became part of the show's legacy, particularly following the 2006 death of Texas prosecutor Louis Conradt during an investigation involving NBC.

Jackie Allen's recent USA Herald coverage of the film examines that history and the questions surrounding Pattinson's fictionalized portrayal.

Jackie Allen

Jackie is a freelance journalist and technology geek. She worked as a telecom project director for AT&T and BellSouth. Before joining the USA Herald she has written books, articles, blogs and whitepapers. Her clients include Samsung and other technology companies.