Robert Pattinson’s ‘Primetime’ Receives 93% Rotten Tomatoes Score and Standing Ovation at Venice

Robert Pattinson has crafted a compelling post-‘Twilight’ career in Hollywood, consistently choosing unconventional and unsettling roles. His latest project continues this trend, portraying a real television personality whose legacy remains controversial nearly two decades after his peak.

This character is Chris Hansen, the former Dateline NBC correspondent known for “To Catch a Predator.” Pattinson’s dramatized portrayal has quickly become one of the most discussed films at this year’s festival circuit. Before its theatrical release, the film faced its biggest challenge yet: gauging audience reaction at its world premiere.

The premiere has delivered a resounding success. ‘Primetime‘ currently boasts a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 14 reviews, and the film received a nine-minute standing ovation following its debut at the Venice Film Festival.

Critics have responded positively, with many highlighting Pattinson’s performance as a standout in his career. Little White Lies noted that he embodies Hansen with remarkable depth, stating that the actor “wears Chris Hansen’s skin like a suit,” as reported by Deadline, effectively capturing the character’s unsettling gaze and his unwavering self-righteousness.

However, not all reviews have been entirely positive. Awards Watch awarded the film a B grade, pointing out that while ‘Primetime’ skillfully recreates the mechanics of “To Catch a Predator,” it leaves many of its moral implications unexplored, resulting in an entertaining thriller that lacks a definitive stance on the show’s legacy.

The Hollywood Reporter echoed this mixed sentiment, praising the strong performances from the cast, including co-stars Skyler Gisondo and Merritt Wever, while questioning whether the film conveys anything more meaningful than the reality show it dramatizes. Nevertheless, even critics with reservations have consistently lauded the central performances and the film’s stylistic commitment to recreating the show’s early-2000s aesthetic.

Audience reactions on Letterboxd after the Venice screening reflect a similar enthusiasm for Pattinson, with one viewer likening the film’s atmosphere to a mix of ‘Better Call Saul’ and internet horror aesthetics, calling Pattinson’s performance “his best of the year.”

The film’s premiere attracted a notable crowd, including industry figures like Chloé Zhao, Amanda Seyfried, Mona Fastvold, and Pattinson’s partner Suki Waterhouse, all present to witness the film’s debut. Pattinson produced ‘Primetime’ alongside Brighton McCloskey through their company Icki Eneo Arlo, with Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Fred Berger, Lars Knudsen, and Tyler Campellone also serving as producers.

This premiere occurred amid ongoing tensions with the real Chris Hansen, who has publicly criticized the film without having viewed it, even purchasing advertising space to promote his own true-crime streaming network ahead of screenings. Despite this friction, Pattinson has remained diplomatic, expressing hope that Hansen will appreciate the film once he sees it.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut, ‘Primetime’ also features Phoebe Bridgers in her acting debut, alongside Gisondo and Wever in key roles. The film runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes and falls within the drama and mystery/thriller genres.

With strong reviews, an enthusiastic festival reception, and real-world controversy converging ahead of its release, ‘Primetime’ is poised to be one of the most talked-about films of the fall season. ‘Primetime’ is set to hit theaters on September 25 through A24.

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