Chris Hansen Gets a Private Screening of A24's Primetime — But Says He's Not Involved

Chris Hansen, the journalist behind NBC's To Catch a Predator, says A24 is arranging a private screening of Primetime for him within the next week or so, and that he will share his thoughts on Robert Pattinson's portrayal after seeing the film. Deadline

Hansen also says he is not involved in the film at all. Yahoo Entertainment

Primetime, financed and produced by A24, stars Robert Pattinson as Hansen during the era of To Catch a Predator, the true-crime segment that ran under the Dateline NBC banner from 2004 to 2007. The film follows Hansen as he attempts to make television history with the programme. Deadline Lance Oppenheim directs from a screenplay by Ajon Singh. Pattinson is also among the film's producers. Development began in October 2024. Deadline

A24 released the first full trailer in August 2026. The cast includes Anna Faris as Hansen's wife, Mary Joan, along with Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo and Phoebe Bridgers. IndieWire The film is set in 2006, the peak of To Catch a Predator's run on American television. IMDb

Hansen told the Serialously podcast that he has watched the trailer and that it "looks very dramatic," a reaction also reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter His suspicion, he said, is that the filmmakers used his name because it helps in a commercial enterprise. Deadline

There is a personal twist in all this. Hansen revealed he once wrote his own script about the To Catch a Predator story and thought Denis Leary would be the right actor to play him. Instead, the role went to Pattinson. Deadline

Primetime arrives in theatres on 25 September. Whether Hansen's verdict on the film matches its dramatic tone or cuts against it will come after his private screening.