Chris Hansen, Shockingly Enough, Didn’t Love Primetime

To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen has been back in the news lately thanks to the new movie Primetime, which delivers an “inspired by true events” spin on the show’s rise in popularity in 2006. Star Robert Pattinson’s depiction of Hansen is not exactly a flattering one, so it’s no surprise that his reaction leaving the theater was at best described as befuddled.

“It was so bizarre and so in-and-out of reality,” Hansen said in a clip posted to his Instagram account. “Obviously, I’m not objective because the character is, you know, me, but it was so detached from reality or anything I’ve experienced then or now doing the investigations. I’m not sure what the point of it was.”

Hansen also shared a screenshot on his IG story from someone else’s very negative review of the movie, which in part reads, “What a piece of actual garbage. A24 should he [sic] ashamed of themselves. Save yourself the $20 or whatever it costs near you. If you want to see a two hourlong movie that paints one of the most influential people to educate parents on the dangers of the internet and catch predators in a negative light – then go see it.” The full screenshot is below.

Hansen had declined the opportunity to screen the movie in advance because he refused to sign a legal agreement required of him by A24. (Variety reports that that agreement was a standard NDA.) He also has purchased pre-show ads that play prior to Primetime screenings, promoting his own streaming network.

You can see those ads for yourself — Primetime is in theaters now.