Robert Pattinson attended the Venice Film Festival on September 5 for the premiere of “Primetime,” a film where he portrays former “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen. During a press conference, Pattinson addressed criticism from Hansen, who is contemplating legal action regarding the film. Pattinson expressed hope that Hansen would enjoy the movie and acknowledged the “magnetic” presence of Hansen on his show, which has left a lasting impression even years later.
“Primetime” loosely recounts the narrative of “To Catch a Predator,” which aired from 2004 to 2007, targeting potential child predators through sting operations. The show faced controversies, notably following Louis “Bill” Conradt Jr.’s suicide, which led to its cancellation. Although Hansen has not seen the film, he has voiced skepticism about its accuracy, suggesting that much of it is fictionalized, aside from Pattinson’s character identifying himself as Hansen. Hansen has also taken steps to promote his true crime streaming network, TruBlu, by purchasing preshow advertisements for the film.
The film’s director, Lance Oppenheim, expressed anticipation regarding Hansen’s feedback upon viewing the movie. Early critical reviews have been favorable, with “Primetime” boasting a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics noting its exploration of themes like performative justice and public shaming. “Primetime” is set to hit theaters on September 25.
