New York — Robert Pattinson portrays one of television’s most recognizable crime-show personalities in Primetime, a new film focused on Chris Hansen and the controversial rise of To Catch a Predator.
The movie begins in 2006 and recreates the era through period-specific fashion, music and other details, depicting Hansen at the peak of his television fame. His NBC program, which confronted men accused of trying to meet minors, became a major cultural phenomenon and made Hansen a widely known media personality.
Hansen’s fame went beyond the program. He appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s show, played himself on 30 Rock and took part in a Conan O’Brien Emmys sketch. He also appeared in an episode of The Simpsons.
The film turns its attention to a darker chapter surrounding the program’s ending. Among the key events portrayed is the death of Bill Conradt, a Texas district attorney who died following an attempted sting operation associated with the show.
Hansen has not watched the completed film. Despite that, he has publicly criticized the production, calling it a fictional story that uses his real name. He has said he intends to attend a screening when the movie opens and later discuss his response on his podcast and YouTube channel.
Patricia Conradt, the sister of Bill Conradt, had also sued NBC over her brother’s death. The lawsuit was settled in 2008.
In Primetime, Pattinson’s version of Hansen is shown becoming increasingly focused on his celebrity status. The character enjoys public recognition, takes advantage of his fame to receive preferential treatment and enthusiastically discusses his professional achievements with his family.
The film also portrays Hansen’s rivalry with journalist Stone Phillips, played by Bill Heck. Phillips embodies the more traditional path in journalism that Hansen envies as he watches colleagues secure major international assignments.
Director David Oppenheim said the production sought to explore how Hansen evolved from an individual television personality into a broader cultural persona.
Primetime is scheduled to open in US theaters on September 25.
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