Published : 06 Sep 2026, 02:59 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:47 AM
Robert Pattinson is hoping the real Chris Hansen will eventually come around on "Primetime," the A24 thriller in which he portrays the veteran television journalist -- even as Hansen himself remains publicly sceptical of the film.
The movie, directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut, premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, reports Variety.
It is set in the mid-2000s and centres on Hansen during his years hosting Dateline NBC's "To Catch a Predator," a show that turned the pursuit of suspected child predators into primetime entertainment.
The film, loosely based on a 2007 Esquire article, examines the ethical boundaries of Hansen's methods and the uneasy collision between journalism, policing and television spectacle.
The show was eventually cancelled in 2008 amid controversy over its approach.
Hansen has said he declined to sign a standard non-disclosure agreement with A24 and has not seen the film.
Based on the trailer alone, he described Pattinson's portrayal as "overly dramatic" -- though he conceded his family thought it was "a pretty good imitation."
Pattinson struck a conciliatory tone at the Venice press conference.
"Obviously, I hope he likes the movie," he said.
"There's something electrifying about him. I would hope the amount of inspiration his character has given people over the years is some kind of compliment."
One of the film's more surprising elements is the acting debut of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, who plays a decoy in the film.
Pattinson was effusive in his praise.
"She's unbelievable," he said. "When Lance suggested her, I was like -- why don't we just get the queen?"
Bridgers herself admitted she nearly turned the role down.
"When Lance asked me, I was like, 'No way, dude,'" she said.
"But working with incredible people actually makes it way easier. Instead of withering, it was just fun and free."
Oppenheim, 30, best known for documentaries including "Some Kind of Heaven" and the HBO series "Ren Faire," has described "Primetime" as a "docu-fantasia."
He said he first encountered "To Catch a Predator" not through the show itself but through parodies on South Park and comedy websites.
"Chris Hansen had these one-liners like Tony Montana," he said. "I was always fascinated by the theatricality of it."
Pattinson is having a remarkable run, with roles in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" and Denis Villeneuve's upcoming "Dune: Part III" alongside "Primetime."
He travelled to Venice from London, where he is currently filming "The Batman: Part II."
He joked that the relentless pace has had unexpected side effects -- including his characters bleeding into one another.
"I can definitely hear a little Chris Hansen in 'The Odyssey' when I watch it," he laughed.
