Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’ Achieves Rotten Tomatoes Milestone Ahead of Release

Robert Pattinson has quietly transformed 2026 into one of the most active and acclaimed periods of his career. With leading roles in ‘The Drama’ alongside Zendaya, a part in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey,’ and preparations for ‘Dune: Part Three,’ the former teen idol is proving to be one of Hollywood’s most dependable draws for both box office success and critical acclaim.

His latest venture is A24’s ‘Primetime,’ a true-crime drama directed by Lance Oppenheim that reimagines the early days of ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen. Pattinson portrays Hansen during the show’s rise in the mid-2000s, and the film debuted at the Venice Film Festival, earning a remarkable nine-minute standing ovation, instantly making it one of the fall’s most anticipated releases.

The buzz from the festival has translated into impressive results on Rotten Tomatoes. Currently, ‘Primetime’ boasts a recommendation rate of 93% from critics, following a score adjustment, and is projected to open domestically between $15,000,000 and $22,000,000, potentially ranking it among A24’s top three opening weekends ever.

The film’s critical reception has been on the rise since its debut in Venice, where it started in the low 90s before climbing into the mid-90s as more reviews came in. Critics have highlighted Pattinson’s performance as one of the most transformative of his career, commending how he embodies Hansen’s mix of self-righteousness and showmanship in a way that is both unsettling and captivating.

Strong supporting performances from Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers, who makes her acting debut, have also received positive attention. Reviewers describe Oppenheim’s directorial debut as a stylized, satirical look at media sensationalism, showcasing a confident transition from documentary to narrative filmmaking.

If ‘Primetime’ achieves its projected range, it would mark a significant achievement for the specialty studio. A24 has typically seen modest opening weekends compared to wider releases, with ‘Hereditary’ previously holding the record for the studio at $13,600,000 in its debut.

However, A24’s box office potential has grown significantly in recent years. ‘Civil War’ marked the studio’s first number one finish with a $25,700,000 opening, while ‘Backrooms’ shattered that record earlier this year with an $81,400,000 domestic debut. A result in the $15,000,000 to $22,000,000 range for ‘Primetime’ would comfortably place it among the upper echelon of A24 releases without necessarily competing for the top spot.

‘Primetime’ has faced some challenges leading up to its release. Chris Hansen has publicly claimed that A24 denied him access to a private screening after he refused to sign documents that he alleged would strip away his name, image, and legal rights related to the film.

In response, Hansen has reportedly purchased ads to run ahead of ‘Primetime’ screenings once it opens theatrically, directing audiences to his own streaming service. This controversy has added an extra layer of intrigue to the film’s pre-release narrative, complementing its true-crime theme.

With reviews trending towards a near-perfect consensus and box office projections indicating one of the largest openings in the studio’s history, ‘Primetime’ is poised to be a defining fall release for both Pattinson and A24. The film is set to hit theaters nationwide on September 25, offering audiences their first opportunity to see if the excitement aligns with the final product.

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