Chris Hansen and Robert Pattinson
TV & Film

Chris Hansen Reacts to Robert Pattinson's Impression of Him in A24's 'Primetime'

The 'To Catch a Predator' host called Pattinson's acting "overly dramatic," but admits the vocal impression is pretty spot-on.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

Take a seat right over there because the real Chris Hansen has thoughts on Robert Pattinson channeling his iconic investigative television persona. The veteran newsman recently offered his candid verdict on Pattinson's upcoming turn in the A24 drama-thriller *Primetime*. The project takes direct inspiration from Hansen's era hosting the explosive *Dateline NBC* segment "To Catch a Predator," which captivated millions during the mid-2000s with its hidden-camera stings, intense confrontations, and unforgettable catchphrases. While Hansen can tell the former *Twilight* star put serious hours into studying his distinct broadcast cadence, he felt the movie magic went a bit heavy on the theatricality. Speaking about Pattinson's take on his legendary television demeanor, Hansen admitted that he found the performance to be overly dramatic. However, he acknowledged that the Hollywood star managed to pull off a surprisingly accurate voice match despite the extra cinematic flare. ## What did Chris Hansen say about Robert Pattinson in Primetime? Hansen did not just keep his thoughts to himself—he made sure to share early glimpses with the critics who know his real-life voice best: his own household. According to the news veteran, his wife and children were thoroughly impressed with Pattinson's vocal transformation. They reportedly reassured Hansen that the A-list actor had dialed in a remarkably strong imitation of the famous broadcaster, giving the Hollywood interpretation an official seal of approval from his inner circle. Pattinson has built an impressive reputation over the last decade for diving headfirst into eccentric and demanding character studies. Moving seamlessly between gritty indie projects and massive blockbuster franchises like *The Batman*, tackling an intense, real-life television figure like Hansen marks another high-stakes entry in his growing portfolio of transformative work with A24. ## Is Robert Pattinson playing Chris Hansen in A24 Primetime? The upcoming feature aims to unpack the high-octane, chaotic world of early-2000s tabloid news and investigative reality programming. Hansen's television sting operations became an instant cultural phenomenon at the time, spawning endless pop-culture references and intense media discourse that persists to this day. While movie buffs and internet culture fans are eagerly waiting to see full trailer footage of Pattinson stepping into the famous role, Hansen's initial review proves that imitating one of television's most recognized news anchors is no easy task. Even if the film turns up the intensity for dramatic effect, Pattinson appears to have captured the essential voice and presence that made Hansen a household name.

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People also ask

What is Robert Pattinson's movie Primetime about?
Primetime is an A24 drama-thriller inspired by Chris Hansen's investigative television work hosting Dateline NBC's hit segment To Catch a Predator.
Did Chris Hansen like Robert Pattinson's impression of him?
Chris Hansen called Pattinson's performance overly dramatic, but praised the actor's preparation and noted that his family thought the impression was solid.