Chris Hansen, the real-life inspiration for a character in Robert Pattinson’s new film Primetime, has criticized the movie as "completely made-up" and called it misleading. The thriller, which features Pattinson playing a version of Hansen, has sparked a public discussion between the actor and the man who inspired his character. Hansen said the film feels "sneaky and disingenuous" and questioned why it uses his name, image, and likeness, suggesting it is for commercial gain. He emphasized that he isn’t fixated on the movie and remains committed to his work in operations targeting child predators. Primetime is inspired by Hansen’s controversial TV show To Catch a Predator, which started as a segment on Dateline NBC in 2004 before becoming its own series. The show involved luring men suspected of preying on children online into homes where they believed they were talking to children, only to be confronted by adult crew members. Hansen, along with the now-defunct organization Perverted-Justice, would then confront the men. The show was widely criticized and was canceled in 2008 after a 56-year-old assistant district attorney committed suicide in his home shortly after a sting operation. The suicide was captured on camera by the show’s crew, further fueling controversy. Hansen criticized Primetime for being "much darker and way more dramatic" than the real-life work he and others do to protect children. He called the film an "insult" to the people who work daily to safeguard children and accused Hollywood studios of being "exploitative or predatory," referencing past scandals in the industry. Pattinson, who plays a version of Hansen in the film, expressed hope that the real-life Hansen would eventually see his portrayal as a compliment. He said he never intended to make a movie about Hansen but hoped the character's inspiration would be viewed as a tribute to those involved in the film. Primetime has received early praise from critics, with the BBC’s Nicholas Barber calling it "intoxicating" and describing it as a "heightened, hallucinatory black comedy." Pattinson’s performance has also been widely praised, with Vulture’s Bilge Ebiri noting his ability to portray a character with "a voice and demeanor that could change at will," calling it a "stunning demonstration of the actor's range."