Robert Pattinson’s Primetime is set to arrive in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on October 29, 2026, expanding the international release of A24’s psychological thriller. Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the film stars Pattinson as journalist Chris Hansen, best known for hosting the controversial television programme To Catch a Predator. Ahead of the release, Oppenheim and cinematographer David Bolen have shared rare footage from Pattinson’s original camera test, offering a closer look at the actor’s preparation for the role.
The camera test captures Pattinson’s transformation into Hansen, including changes to his appearance and mannerisms. The footage provides a glimpse into the process behind the performance, particularly given that the character is based on a real person with a recognisable television presence. As the film explores televised investigations and their wider implications, the test footage offers insight into how Pattinson approached the role.
Set in 2006, Primetime follows a fictionalised version of Hansen as he works on To Catch a Predator, a television series built around sting operations targeting men suspected of seeking sexual encounters with minors online. The film examines the pressures surrounding the programme, including the pursuit of television ratings and the ethical questions raised when real-life investigations become entertainment.
The project marks Oppenheim’s narrative feature directorial debut following his work in documentary filmmaking. Pattinson also serves as a producer, while the cast includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Bokeem Woodbine, Anna Faris and Phoebe Bridgers. The film combines a fictionalised account of a familiar television phenomenon with a cast led by an actor taking on one of its most recognisable figures.
Primetime has reportedly performed well at the US box office. Since its September 25 release, the film has earned more than $38 million against a production budget of $14.5 million, according to the figures cited in the original report. It premiered in competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 5, where it reportedly received a seven-minute standing ovation. Its positive critical reception has also helped build interest beyond its festival debut.
However, the film has drawn criticism from Hansen, the real-life figure who inspired Pattinson’s character. Hansen has disputed the portrayal of events, describing the project as detached from reality and raising the possibility of legal action. No confirmed legal challenge has been established. His response has brought renewed attention to the questions filmmakers face when interpreting real people and events for the screen.
In an unusual development, Hansen has also purchased advertising space before theatrical screenings of Primetime to promote TruBlu, his true-crime streaming network. The arrangement creates an unexpected connection between the film and its real-life subject, allowing audiences to encounter Hansen’s current work before watching Pattinson’s portrayal of him.
The film’s international release has also encountered a setback in Malaysia, where the Film Censorship Board has banned it from theatrical release. In the United Kingdom, Primetime is scheduled to open on October 30, one day after its Australian and New Zealand debut.
As its October 29 release approaches, Primetime brings together a reported strong box-office performance, controversy surrounding its central character and questions about the way television presents real-life investigations. For Australian and New Zealand audiences, the film offers an opportunity to see Pattinson take on a markedly different role while exploring the events and media culture that shaped Hansen’s public image.