Pattinson Thriller 'Primetime' Ignites Box Office

The true-crime thriller "Primetime," starring Robert Pattinson as Dateline NBC journalist Chris Hansen, achieved a strong opening weekend, earning $19.2 million from 2,863 North American venues. Despite ranking fourth domestically, the film's $15 million production budget positions it for profitability. "Primetime" represents A24's third-highest opening weekend, following hits like "Backrooms" and "Civil War."

Pattinson's involvement was a key driver, with exit polls indicating over 75% of moviegoers attended primarily because of him. The film also resonated strongly with Gen Z audiences, who comprised 69% of the opening weekend crowd, highlighting A24's success in attracting younger demographics to cinemas.

Marketing efforts, including social media campaigns and Chris Hansen's own vocal criticisms of the film's portrayal, generated significant buzz. The movie's premiere at the Venice Film Festival, complete with a seven-minute standing ovation, further amplified positive word-of-mouth prior to its wide release.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, "Primetime" delves into the production of "To Catch a Predator." Oppenheim's profile also rose following the recent announcement of his documentary "You Can See Everything," co-directed with Nathan Fielder, further drawing attention to his narrative feature debut.