Chris Hansen questions motive behind Primetime film

Chris Hansen, the former host of the NBC series "To Catch a Predator," has offered a measured reaction to "Primetime," an upcoming A24 film starring Robert Pattinson as Hansen. In a recent interview, Hansen said he has not yet seen the finished movie but plans to view it in a private screening within the next week before offering a full opinion.

The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim, is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 25, 2026. It dramatizes the rise and fall of the "Dateline NBC" segment, which aired from 2004 to 2007 and featured Hansen confronting men who arranged to meet minors through online stings. The show was ultimately canceled following legal and ethical controversies, including the suicide of a suspect during a police operation.

Hansen discussed the project during an interview on the "Serialously with Annie Elise" podcast. He confirmed that he was not involved in the film's production and was only contacted by the filmmakers after the project was completed. "A couple months ago, they came and said, 'Hey, look, we're doing this. We'd like you to have some sort of consideration in terms of helping us with this,'" Hansen said.