Primetime (2026)

Chris Hansen, the journalist behind “To Catch a Predator,” is considering legal action over A24’s “Primetime,” which stars Robert Pattinson as a fictionalized version of him. In an Oct. 1 interview with Variety after seeing the film, Hansen challenged its depiction of his work, personal life and former colleagues.

At the Sheraton Times Square in New York City, journalist Chris Hansen took the stage for the Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation’s 2016 Ridge Awards on May 19, 2016. Photo by Paul Zimmerman / Getty Images.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the movie draws on a 2009 Esquire article about Louis William Conradt Jr., a Texas assistant district attorney who died by suicide during a 2006 police sting conducted in coordination with the “Predator” team. The “Dateline” segment ran from 2004 to 2007, using adult decoys posing as minors to arrange encounters with men whom Hansen would confront on camera.

Hansen disputes the movie’s account of the Conradt investigation, including the suggestion that his team pushed police to make an arrest. He told Variety that police decided to obtain a warrant and that his crew recorded their arrival from the street. He also rejects the film’s portrayal of a breakdown following Conradt’s death and says the depicted conversations never happened.

A still from A24’s “Primetime” (2026), in which Robert Pattinson plays a fictionalized version of journalist Chris Hansen.

His objections extend to scenes involving his love life and relationships at NBC. Hansen says events and timelines were rearranged, that he never yelled at colleagues, and that his relationship with former NBC executive Jeff Zucker was warm and constructive. He says the filmmakers used his name and mannerisms without consulting him, and that the film’s fiction disclaimer appears at the end.

NBC offered Variety its own description: “The movie is a fictionalized portrayal of events from nearly two decades ago that were extensively reported at the time.”

Hansen praised Pattinson’s acting ability and said he’s invited both Pattinson and Oppenheim onto his podcast. He isn’t urging people to avoid the movie. He also says TruBlu, his media platform, bought advertising to run before screenings in virtually every U.S. theater showing it, and that interest in his current work has increased.

As for a legal challenge, Hansen told Variety that lawyers are reviewing the matter and that he plans to discuss it in upcoming meetings. He hasn’t ruled out action, but says there’s no rush.

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