A24's Primetime Wins Early Venice Praise, Boosting Robert Pattinson's 2026 Oscar Bid
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Sep 5
A24's Primetime Wins Early Venice Praise, Boosting Robert Pattinson's 2026 Oscar Bid
3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Sep 5
Summary
Early Venice reviews for A24’s “Primetime” are largely positive, with Robert Pattinson drawing the strongest notices for his portrayal of “To Catch a Predator” host Chris Hansen.
Critics from Deadline, the BBC, The Playlist and Little White Lies called Pattinson extraordinary, magnetic and at a career high, with some already framing the performance as a Best Actor contender.
The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim, revisits the true-crime TV phenomenon as a dark drama about spectacle, morality and populism, centering on how the show’s story “ended badly.”
Not every review was fully sold: Awards Watch and IndieWire gave B grades, while Screen International praised the visuals but called the drama contrived.
That mix still leaves “Primetime” emerging from its Venice debut as a serious awards-season title for A24, especially on the strength of Pattinson’s performance.