Entertainment

Robert Pattinson stars as Chris Hansen figure in A24 film 'Primetime'

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the Venice-bound feature examines the mid-2000s media era of 'To Catch a Predator' without Hansen's participation.

Updated Sep 3, 2026 · 13:19 UTC1 reports

The short version

A24 is premiering 'Primetime' at the Venice Film Festival, starring Robert Pattinson as a stylized persona of former Dateline host Chris Hansen.
The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim and written by Ajon Singh, dramatizes the run of 'To Catch a Predator' and the blurring lines between television news and entertainment.
Chris Hansen was not involved in production and refused to sign a pre-screening nondisclosure agreement, leaving him yet to see the finished film.

The A24 film 'Primetime' is directed by Lance Oppenheim and loosely adapted by screenwriter Ajon Singh from an Esquire article by Luke Dittrich.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Robert Pattinson stars as a conceptual figure based on the public persona of Chris Hansen during the 2004–2007 era of 'To Catch a Predator', marking Pattinson's first producing credit from pre-production through release.[The Hollywood Reporter]
The supporting cast includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, musician Phoebe Bridgers in her acting debut, and former NBCUniversal executive Jeff Zucker portraying a version of himself.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Chris Hansen did not participate in the production, publicly questioned the film's motives, and declined to sign a pre-screening agreement required to view the movie early.[The Hollywood Reporter]

Chris Hansen claimed A24's pre-screening document required him to sign away rights to his name, while a source close to A24 characterized the document as a standard pre-premiere nondisclosure agreement.[The Hollywood Reporter]