Robert Pattinson’s performance as former *To Catch a Predator* host Chris Hansen is receiving strong critical acclaim. The A24 film, *Primetime*, premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, earning a nearly eight-minute standing ovation and currently holds a 93 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 25.
The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim, centers on Hansen and his work hosting *To Catch a Predator*. The cast also includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, and Bokeem Woodbine. Hansen initially expressed concerns about Hollywood’s intentions with the film but has since acknowledged Pattinson’s dedication to the role. “Obviously he has practiced imitating me, and while I think it’s overly dramatic, I think there is a pretty good imitation there in the trailer,” Hansen recently told Entertainment Tonight.
Speaking with Fox News’ Jesse Watters, Hansen revealed he did not attend a screening of *Primetime* because “Lawyers at A24 wanted me to sign away my rights to my name, image and brand, essentially, as well as any potential legal rights that would come out of the movie.” Pattinson addressed Hansen’s comments in Venice, stating, “I hope he likes the movie.”
Critics have particularly highlighted Pattinson’s performance. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter described Pattinson as “equal parts cracked and chilling as host Chris Hansen, portraying him as a ruthless ratings hunter with a grandiosity complex and a chip on his shoulder because he’s not Stone Phillips.” Rooney added that Pattinson is “riveting to watch.” He also praised Oppenheim’s direction, noting strong performances from Gisondo, Maher, and Wever, but suggested the film lacks the depth of the documentary *Predators* and questioned its intended audience.
Marshall Shaffer of The Playlist called Pattinson’s performance the “most locked-in performance of its kind since Jake Gyllenhaal in *Nightcrawler*.” BBC’s Nicholas Barber similarly applauded Pattinson, writing that he is “completely immersed in the character’s strangeness,” portraying Hansen as “slippery, creep[y], sometimes buffoonish…and sometimes sinister, and sometimes on the verge of madness.” Barber emphasized that Pattinson does not ask for audience sympathy, instead allowing viewers to “loathe him,” while still making the performance enjoyable. Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri also praised Pattinson’s work.
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