Chris Hansen purchases ads for screenings of Primetime
Chris Hansen has bought advertising slots for his streaming network TruBlu to air before every screening of the film Primetime, starring Robert Pattinson. The film is based on an Esquire article about Hansen, and he refused to sign an NDA with A24 to preview it. Hansen's ads feature him telling audiences to take a seat, while he also pursues legal options against the film.
Hansen's TruBlu network spots will run in theaters nationwide ahead of the September 25 release of *Primetime*, which stars Robert Pattinson and is directed by Lance Oppenheim. The film draws from a 2023 Esquire profile of Hansen, and A24 had offered him an advance screening under a non-disclosure agreement, which he declined. His legal team is reportedly exploring options regarding the film's portrayal of him.
The ad campaign follows Hansen's appearance in David Osit's documentary *Predators*, which examined media ethics and his role in the controversial *To Catch a Predator* franchise. The film premieres at the Venice International Film Festival on September 5 before its theatrical rollout.
This unusual promotional clash could reshape how public figures respond to unflattering biographical films. Hansen's decision to buy ad time rather than sign an NDA may signal a new playbook for subjects who feel misrepresented—turning a film's release into a counter-narrative platform. Audiences may become more skeptical of both the film's framing and Hansen's self-promotion, potentially influencing how future subjects negotiate with studios and how filmmakers approach real-life figures.