Chris Hansen slams A24’s ‘Primetime’ as detached fantasy

The former ‘To Catch a Predator’ host called the new thriller bizarre, unrealistic and questioned why Hollywood turned his investigations into fiction.

Chris Hansen left a preview of A24’s Primetime on Thursday night and didn’t look back. The former host of NBC’s To Catch a Predator called the Robert Pattinson‑led psychological thriller “bizarre” and “so detached from reality”, according to a video he posted outside the cinema.

He told reporters that the film felt like a mash‑up of fictional tropes rather than a faithful recounting of the undercover sting operations that made his show a cultural touchstone in the early 2000s. “I’m not sure what the point of it was,” Hansen said, adding that the movie seemed to exist in a world that had little in common with the gritty, often uncomfortable work he and his team carried out.

The A24 project, directed by first‑time feature filmmaker Lance Oppenheim, dramatizes the rise and fall of the Dateline segment that put Hansen’s investigations on prime‑time television. Pattinson steps into Hansen’s shoes, while indie‑songstress Phoebe Bridgers appears as a decoy named Del Harvey. The studio marketed the film as a “psychological thriller”, but Hansen’s reaction suggests the tone may have missed the mark for the very people it portrays.

Why the backlash matters

Hansen’s criticism isn’t just personal. It raises questions about how Hollywood handles recent‑history biopics. The producer’s decision to fictionalise key moments, he warned, could mislead audiences who aren’t familiar with the original series. “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,” he told Fox News host Jesse Watters, before handing the actor a “D” for his performance.

The actor, who has spoken publicly about wanting to honor Hansen’s legacy, seemed taken aback by the low grade. Pattinson previously said he hoped the film would be seen as a compliment to the investigative work that changed TV journalism. Whether the movie will spark a fresh conversation about the ethics of sting operations remains to be seen.

Industry observers note that Primetime drops on September 25, a date that pits it against a slate of summer blockbusters still holding the box‑office. A24’s track record of niche, auteur‑driven releases suggests the film will likely find its audience among indie‑film fans rather than mainstream crowds. Still, Hansen’s outspoken dismissal could dampen curiosity among viewers who might have otherwise given the film a chance.

As the opening weekend approaches, the real test will be whether the buzz around Hansen’s comments translates into ticket sales or simply adds another layer to the ongoing debate about factual storytelling in cinema. For now, the former journalist remains firm: the movie is a fictional portrayal, and anyone walking into the theater should keep that in mind.

The film’s performance on its debut will reveal if curiosity about the To Catch a Predator saga can overcome the host’s stark warning.