Culture 4 min read By Mason Emerson
Robert Pattinson Says He Was a Fan While Portraying Chris Hansen in 'Primetime'
Robert Pattinson says he approached his role as Chris Hansen in the A24 thriller 'Primetime' as a fan, aiming to make the 'To Catch a Predator' host look cool, even as Hansen continues to criticize the film.
Robert Pattinson has revealed that he approached his portrayal of Chris Hansen in the new A24 thriller «Primetime» as a fan of the veteran television host, saying he wanted to make Hansen look cool on screen. The comments come as Hansen continues to publicly criticize the Lance Oppenheim-directed film, which is now playing in theaters.
Pattinson, who stars as the former «To Catch a Predator» host in the psychological thriller, explained that his intention was never to mock or diminish Hansen. Instead, he said he was trying to present a version of the television personality that audiences would find compelling and charismatic. The actor's remarks offer a counterpoint to Hansen's ongoing objections to the project, which he has described in negative terms since its release.
The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim, premiered at the London Film Festival, where Pattinson introduced it to an eager audience at the BFI Imax. Speaking at the event, the actor recalled that the script felt like a «grenade» — original, funny, and a little dangerous. He explained that the material's unpredictable tone was part of what drew him to the project, both as its lead and as a producer.
Pattinson has also pushed back on the idea that «Primetime» is a rebuke of Hansen or his work. He described the film as capturing a specific feeling — the sensation of watching a certain kind of television show during a particular period of time. That nostalgic and unsettling quality, he suggested, is central to what the movie is trying to achieve, rather than any direct attack on Hansen himself.
Hansen, for his part, has made clear that the feeling is not mutual. He has been vocal in his criticism of the film, expressing displeasure with how he and his legacy are depicted. The public disagreement has become part of the conversation surrounding the movie, adding a real-life tension to its theatrical run.
«Primetime» is a psychological thriller that draws on the cultural memory of Hansen's investigative television work, particularly his role in «To Catch a Predator.» The film is not a documentary but a dramatized exploration of that era of television and its broader cultural impact. Pattinson's casting as Hansen has been a focal point of press coverage, with the actor's comments now adding another layer to the film's reception.
The movie is currently playing in theaters, and its London premiere brought Pattinson out to promote the project in person. His appearance at the BFI Imax, where he sported a dark grey suit and slicked-back hair, was met with enthusiasm from the festival audience. The actor's willingness to discuss his approach to the role has kept the film in the cultural conversation, even as its subject remains critical of the result.
For audiences, the disconnect between Pattinson's affectionate approach and Hansen's disapproval may be part of the film's appeal. It raises questions about how real-life figures are translated to the screen, and whether a portrayal can be both admiring and unsettling. «Primetime» appears to sit in that ambiguous space, offering a version of Hansen that is meant to be cool, even as the man himself rejects the interpretation.
As the film continues its theatrical run, Pattinson's comments are likely to fuel further discussion about the line between homage and critique in biographical drama. The actor has made his position clear: he came to the role as a fan, and he wanted the character to come across that way on screen.
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