Chris Hansen Rejects 'Primetime' as Fictional Horror, Grades Pattinson's Performance a 'D'

Key points

• Chris Hansen watched 'Primetime' at a Times Square AMC on Thursday night, marking his first view of the film since its release.
• Hansen gave Robert Pattinson's performance a 'D' grade, calling the portrayal 'absurd' and 'detached from reality.'
• The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim, dramatizes the 2006 era of 'To Catch a Predator' but was produced without Hansen's consent or input.
• Hansen claims the movie inaccurately depicts his show as a low-status program and portrays him as an aloof parent, which he denies.
• A24 had not reached out to Hansen or his team to explain the premise or request his approval before the film's release.

Background

The controversy began in early September when Hansen criticized the film's trailer and declined a restrictive NDA proposed by the studio. Robert Pattinson had previously stated he spent significant time imitating Hansen's voice and hoped the film would be seen as a compliment. 'Primetime' premiered at the Venice Film Festival to a seven-minute standing ovation and has been viewed as an Oscar contender, with early reviews praising its psychological depth.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone report that Hansen is unimpressed by the film, calling it a 'fever dream' and a 'hit piece' that insults the work of child protection advocates. The Atlantic notes that the film offers a critical edge on the ethics of the original show but focuses on the 'weird version of real life' Hansen created. The Washington Post, however, offers a more favorable view, describing the film as a 'superhero movie' that cracks Hansen wide open and praising Pattinson's performance. This highlights a sharp divide between the film's critical acclaim and Hansen's insistence that the portrayal is an insult to his real-world impact.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the tension between artistic license and real-life likeness in biographical films, particularly when the subject is a public figure involved in controversial media practices. It also underscores the legal and ethical boundaries of using a real person's likeness without consent, as Hansen has consulted lawyers regarding potential defamation or identity theft claims.

What to watch

Hansen continues his work on 'Takedown with Chris Hansen' and has released a documentary trailer titled 'I'm Chris Hansen' on his TruBlu streaming network. A24 and the production team have not responded to Hansen's criticisms, and the film is currently in wide release in the U.S.