Primetime 1 hr. 50 min.

Primetime (2026) is an A24 psychological crime thriller directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut. The film is set in 2006 and follows television journalist Chris Hansen as he creates the controversial reality show To Catch a Predator, which used hidden cameras and decoys to expose suspected child predators. Robert Pattinson stars as Hansen, delivering a performance that critics describe as a complete transformation, stripping away his movie-star charm to reveal a ratings-obsessed and deeply insecure host. The story is adapted from Luke Dittrich’s 2007 Esquire article "Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die," which examined the ethics and fallout of the sting operations. The supporting cast includes Anna Faris, Skyler Gisondo, Merritt Wever, Alex Winter, and musician Phoebe Bridgers in her acting debut. The film premiered at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, where it received a seven-minute standing ovation. It currently holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it Pattinson’s highest-rated live-action film to date. In an unusual real-world twist, the actual Chris Hansen purchased pre-show ad space at theatrical screenings to promote his own true-crime streaming network, even using his famous catchphrase "Take a seat right over there" in the commercial. Hansen also reportedly consulted lawyers after declining to screen the film because he refused to sign a legal waiver. Primetime is scheduled for a North American theatrical release on September 25, 2026.

Genres: Drama, Thriller, Crime

Running Time: 1 hr. 50 min.

Release Date: September 25, 2026

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Matthew Maher, Bokeem Woodbine

Directed by: Lance Oppenheim