Los Angeles — Robert Pattinson Transforms Into Chris Hansen in ‘Primetime’ Camera Test
Robert Pattinson’s thriller Primetime is set to open in cinemas across Australia and New Zealand on October 29th. Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the controversial A24 production is accompanied by a rare behind-the-scenes look at the actor’s original camera test, filmed by Oppenheim and cinematographer David Bolen, which captures his transformation into television personality Chris Hansen.
Inspired by true events, the film takes place in 2006 and follows Hansen, portrayed by Pattinson, as he attempts to make television history through To Catch a Predator. The NBC series featured televised sting operations intended to expose suspected online child predators.
The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher and Bokeem Woodbine.
Primetime marks Oppenheim’s debut as a narrative feature director. His previous documentary work includes Some Kind of Heaven and Spermworld. He has also worked with Nathan Fielder on the forthcoming Elizabeth Holmes documentary, You Can See Everything.
After premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Primetime debuted in US cinemas on September 25th, opening in second place at the box office with US$8.49 million. However, the film has drawn criticism from Hansen, who has repeatedly challenged both the production and Pattinson’s portrayal of him.
Following a screening, Hansen described the film as “so detached from reality,” raising concerns about how it represents his work and the circumstances surrounding the original television series.
“It was so bizarre and so in-and-out of reality,” he said. “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 took issue with Pattinson’s interpretation of him, describing the film’s portrayal as “so detached, so unhinged, so dark, so unlikeable.”
The thriller takes inspiration from a 2009 Esquire article titled “Tonight on ‘Dateline’ This Man Will Die.” The piece examined the death of Texas assistant district attorney Louis William Conradt Jr., who died by suicide during a police operation linked to the series in 2006.
In a subsequent interview with Variety, Hansen called Primetime a “complete work of fiction” and disclosed that he was considering legal action against A24 over the film’s depiction of him.
Pattinson, meanwhile, has expressed hope that Hansen may eventually appreciate his performance. “I would hope the amount of inspiration his character has given a lot of people for years is some kind of compliment,” the actor previously said.
Primetime opens in cinemas across Australia and New Zealand on October 29th.
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