The official trailer for the upcoming Robert Pattinson film Primetime has accumulated 35 million views on YouTube within ten days of its release, marking one of the highest viewership records in the history of distributor A24.
The feature film will make its world premiere in the competition section at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The movie is scheduled to open in Greek cinemas on October 10.
Pattinson stars in the film and also serves as a producer. He portrays television journalist Chris Hansen, who gained widespread prominence hosting the popular and highly controversial American investigative show To Catch a Predator.
The television program aired from 2004 to 2007 as a specialized investigative segment on Dateline NBC, recording Hansen's sting operations to expose individuals suspected of the sexual exploitation of minors. Dateline NBC is a long-running news magazine produced by NBC News, while Hansen's segment relied on hidden camera confrontations that drew significant public interest and media debate.
A24 record and directorial debut
Primetime marks the narrative feature directorial debut for filmmaker Lance Oppenheim. Oppenheim previously established his career in documentary filmmaking, directing acclaimed nonfiction titles such as Some Kind of Heaven in 2020 and Spermworld in 2024 before moving into fiction cinema with A24.
Indie distributor A24, founded in New York City in 2012, has built a reputation for distributing innovative cinematic projects and major award contenders, including Academy Award winners Moonlight and Everything Everywhere All at Once. The 35 million views for the Primetime trailer represent one of the strongest online promotional launches in the studio's history.
Cast members and festival exclusivity
According to World of Reel, the supporting cast of Primetime includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and singer and songwriter Phoebe Bridgers. Wever is an Emmy Award winning actress known for Nurse Jackie and Unbelievable, Gisondo has starred in The Righteous Gemstones, and Bridgers is a critically acclaimed indie rock recording artist.
The production has already conducted test screenings for select audiences, receiving positive initial responses. The 83rd Venice International Film Festival will serve as the sole festival stop for the picture, as Pattinson is currently in the middle of filming The Batman: Part Two.
Pattinson's creative projects
The project arrives during an active creative period for Pattinson, who has taken on demanding roles in recent features including The Odyssey and The Drama. Pattinson gained global stardom in The Twilight Saga before transitioning into auteur cinema and portraying Bruce Wayne in the 2022 film The Batman. His upcoming slate also includes Here Comes the Flood, co-starring Denzel Washington, which has had its release postponed to 2027.
