Robert Pattinson's New A24 Thriller Sets Rotten Tomatoes Record With Debut Score

Robert Pattinson’s new film, Primetime, is ready to catch a Rotten Tomatoes file.

The upcoming A24 biopic is predicated on NBC’s notorious collection, To Catch a Predator, the place Pattinson transforms into the host Chris Hansen, who investigates and catches little one intercourse predators. The story might be loosely based mostly on Esquire‘s article “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die,” recounting the demise of Invoice Conradt and its aftermath. Now, forward of its launch on the finish of the month, Primetime premiered on the Venice Movie Competition, the place critics shared their verdict on the crime thriller.

With 20 critiques, Primetime debuts with a stellar 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Nonetheless, the rating will fluctuate as extra critiques are tabulated. For now, the brand new A24 thriller is Pattinson’s highest-rated live-action movie ever and breaks the file that was set by The Odyssey‘s 93% this previous summer time.

Primetime critiques practically unanimously praised Pattinson’s efficiency and Lance Oppenheim’s path. Critics lauded the main actor’s intensely erratic, but electrical portrayal of Chris Hansen, showcasing his descent into insanity as his darkish present consumes him. Moreover, Pattinson’s mannerisms and voice of Chris Hansen have been described as uncanny.

Robert Pattinson’s Prime 10 Highest-Rated Starring Motion pictures	Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Rating	Rotten Tomatoes Viewers Rating
Primetime (2026)	95%	N/A
The Odyssey (2026)	93%	97%
Good Time (2017)	91%	82%
The Lighthouse (2019)	90%	72%
The Childhood of a Chief (2015)	90%	54%
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Hearth (2005)	88%	74%
The Misplaced Metropolis of Z (2016)	85%	58%
The Batman (2022)	85%	87%
Excessive Life (2018)	83%	42%
Mickey 17 (2025)	77%	73%

In the meantime, Oppenheim’s function debut delivers a stylistic examination of the present’s darkish previous that edges between gritty thriller and horror with grainy visuals that complement its time. Merritt Wever and Phoebe Bridger earned reward, whereas Skyler Gisondo’s decoy was the standout efficiency among the many supporting forged.

Pattinson’s possibilities within the Greatest Actor race simply received higher for the upcoming award season in what’s already a busy, but profitable 2026. With the addition of Primetime, the revered actor is at present on a scorching streak, as A24’s The Drama and The Odyssey additionally earned vital acclaim. After the upcoming crime thriller, the actor, who’s already created a robust status for his versatility and difficult roles, closes out the year with Dune: Part Three, through which he performs the antagonistic position of Scytale.

Whereas the film has caught audiences’ consideration and even impressed memes over the road, “You see how this seems to be, proper?” Primetime‘s upcoming launch is not with out challenges. The true-life Chris Hansen, who wasn’t concerned within the film, has been outspoken in current weeks about his ideas on Pattinson and the footage launched thus far.

Concerning the Primetime trailer, the previous host acknowledged that “It seems to be very dramatic. I do know [Pattinson] is a well-liked actor, and I do know the director is a well-liked man. I even have some questions: What’s Hollywood’s motive right here?” Whereas talking with Leisure Tonight, Hansen opined that Pattinson’s portrayal was “a reasonably good imitation,” although “overly dramatic.” He additionally believed Denis Leary was his most popular casting alternative.

The To Catch a Predator host additionally confirmed that A24 supplied him a non-public screening to observe the film. Nonetheless, he refused, alleging the situation was to signal a contract that might “take away his identify, picture, and model, basically, in addition to any potential authorized rights that might come out of the film.” In the meantime, Hansen additionally bought pre-show advertisements for each Primetime screening that direct audiences to his streaming service TruBlu.

Pattinson and Oppenheim have responded to Hansen’s statements. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker was “excited to listen to what he has to say about it” if the host chooses to observe.

On the Venice press convention, the Batman actor hopes Hansen finally ends up liking the film. He then continued, “I by no means actually got down to make a film about Chris Hansen. I’d hope in some methods, like, the quantity of inspiration that his character has sort of given sure people who find themselves concerned on this [film] for like years now, I hope is a few sort of praise.” Pattinson can be one of many film’s producers.

Primetime might be launched in theaters on September 25, 2026.