Chris Hansen's claim that A24 barred him from a screening of Lance Oppenheim's "Primetime" due to unreasonable contract demands doesn't hold up under scrutiny. A source told Deadline that Hansen was actually asked to sign a standard non-disclosure agreement, not surrender his legal rights as the documentarian initially suggested.
Hansen, the former host of NBC's "To Catch a Predator," claimed the studio prevented him from attending a screening of the thriller that centers on his life and legacy. His framing suggested A24 demanded he relinquish his rights as a condition of entry. That narrative shifted when Deadline reported the studio only requested an NDA, a common practice for advance screenings across the industry.
The dispute reveals tension between the real-world subject of a film and the filmmakers controlling its narrative. Oppenheim's "Primetime" examines Hansen's career investigating online predators and the darker aspects of his pursuit of notoriety through the format. It's not a flattering portrait, which likely explains Hansen's resistance to attending under controlled conditions.
A24 has built its reputation on provocative, often unflinching documentaries and narratives that challenge subjects head-on. "Primetime" fits that brand. The studio routinely requires attendees at advance screenings to sign NDAs to protect the film from spoilers and unauthorized clips circulating before release. This protects their investment and the controlled rollout strategy.
Hansen's public pushback misrepresented what was essentially a routine legal safeguard. By claiming he was asked to "sign away" his rights, he weaponized the narrative to generate sympathy and suggest heavy-handed studio behavior. The reality proves more mundane. A24 wasn't silencing him. They were following standard practice.
The incident underscores how documentary subjects, particularly those whose reput