‘Primetime’: Robert Pattinson’s Chris Hansen drama gets seven-minute standing ovation at Venice

Lance Oppenheim’s ‘Primetime’, starring Robert Pattinson as ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen, received an enthusiastic seven-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival

Published - September 06, 2026 12:06 pm IST

Director Lance Oppenheim and cast member Robert Pattinson pose on the red carpet during arrivals for the screening of the movie ‘Primetime’ in competition, at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in Venice, Italy, September 5, 2026 | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Robert Pattinson’s Primetime received a seven-minute standing ovation following its world premiere at the 2026 Venice Film Festival on Saturday, with the crowd particularly responding to the actor’s performance as Dateline NBC journalist Chris Hansen. Pattinson’s partner Suki Waterhouse was among those cheering during the reception, which also saw the audience applaud director Lance Oppenheim and Phoebe Bridgers, who makes her acting debut in the film.

Directed by Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut, Primetime is inspired by Luke Dittrich’s 2007 Esquire article “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die” and dramatises the making of To Catch a Predator, the controversial NBC series in which Hansen confronted men accused of attempting to meet minors online. The film focuses on the machinery behind the television phenomenon and the ambitions of the people who helped turn the sting operations into prime-time entertainment.

Pattinson initially joined the project as a producer before becoming increasingly attached to playing Hansen himself. The actor has described the role as unusually demanding, particularly in reproducing Hansen’s distinctive voice and mannerisms. His performance has already attracted strong early reviews, with critics highlighting his transformation into the television personality.

The film also stars Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo and Phoebe Bridgers, while former NBC chief Jeff Zucker appears as himself. Hansen was not involved in the production and has publicly criticised the film, describing Pattinson’s portrayal as overly dramatic and stressing that Primetime is a fictionalised account rather than a literal depiction of his career.

The Venice reception adds another high-profile festival response to what has already been a busy year for Pattinson, who has also appeared in The Drama and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, with Dune: Part Three still to come.

Primetime will open in theatres worldwide on September 25, 2026.

Published - September 06, 2026 12:06 pm IST

cinema / English cinema / film festival / arts, culture and entertainment

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