Chris Hansen Calls A24's 'Primetime' Detached From Reality After Screening
Chris Hansen has now seen A24's thriller Primetime, which features Robert Pattinson as a character based on him. In a video, Hansen said the film felt bizarre and disconnected from his actual investigative experience. He added that he is not objective because the character is him and questioned the movie's purpose.
Chris Hansen has now watched A24’s Primetime, directed by Lance Oppenheim. The film is in theaters and draws from a 2007 Esquire piece, “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die,” with Robert Pattinson playing a figure modeled on Hansen.
In a video posted to X, Hansen described the experience as strange and unevenly connected to reality. He acknowledged his personal bias, saying the character represents him, and said the movie felt far removed from his investigative work. Pattinson has since responded to Hansen’s criticism, saying he hopes it is some kind of compliment.
The film’s fictionalized take on Hansen’s investigations may shape how audiences understand reality TV and law enforcement stings. Viewers familiar with Hansen could compare his account with the dramatized version, while younger audiences might encounter the story first through Pattinson’s role. A24’s cultural reach could amplify debate about adapting real people without their involvement, potentially affecting Hansen’s public image and the filmmakers’ reputations.