A24's 'Primetime' Blurs Reality with 12 Camera Formats and a Real-Life Jeff Zucker Cameo

Key points

• The film opened to $19.2 million, with $2.7 million coming from previews, demonstrating Robert Pattinson's box office drawing power.
• Cinematographer David Bolen used 12 different camera formats, including mini-DV, vintage tube cameras, and a micro-endoscope, to replicate the 'manufactured reality' of the original TV show.
• A broken Plumbicon camera, whose tubes were burnt to a crisp, was used to create distorted, 'collapsing' images that Oppenheim described as dreamlike.
• All footage, regardless of the camera used, was printed to 16mm film stock and then digitized to create a tactile, 'internet-era' aesthetic that mirrors how the original show survives online.
• Former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Zucker made his first film cameo in 'Primetime,' playing a fictionalized version of himself in a 2006 scene opposite Pattinson.
• The real Chris Hansen has publicly questioned the film's accuracy, while Pattinson has studied Hansen's voice extensively to perfect the imitation.

Background

A24's 'Primetime' premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2026 before opening in US theaters on September 25. The film, directed by documentary filmmaker Lance Oppenheim, dramatizes the era of the 'To Catch a Predator' segment on Dateline NBC, hosted by Chris Hansen. Prior to its release, Hansen expressed skepticism about the film's accuracy and even purchased preshow advertisements to promote his own streaming network, TruBlu. Pattinson, who joined the project as a producer before taking the lead role, studied Hansen's cadence using his 'Have A Seat' podcast to perfect the imitation. The film also features Skyler Gisondo, Merritt Wever, and Phoebe Bridgers.

How outlets are covering it

IndieWire focuses on the technical and artistic choices behind the film's cinematography, highlighting Oppenheim's use of 12 different camera formats and the 16mm printing process to create a unique, 'collapsing' aesthetic. The Washington Post emphasizes the real-world implications of the film, noting that the real Chris Hansen has publicly questioned the film's accuracy and is using the film's release to promote his own streaming network. New York Magazine provides a behind-the-scenes look at the film's production, focusing on the cameo by former NBC executive Jeff Zucker, who played a fictionalized version of himself in a 2006 scene. A.V. Club takes a broader perspective, comparing Pattinson's performance in 'Primetime' to that of Nicolas Cage, arguing that both actors share a willingness to break realism for artistic effect. The sources also differ in their emphasis on the film's box office performance, with IndieWire noting its strong opening, while the other sources focus more on the film's artistic and cultural impact.

Why it matters

The film's success and critical attention highlight a growing interest in experimental, non-realistic approaches to biographical and historical dramas. Its strong box office performance, despite its unconventional style, suggests that audiences are willing to embrace films that prioritize artistic expression over traditional realism. The film's use of multiple camera formats and 16mm printing also reflects a broader trend in filmmaking to create unique, 'internet-era' aesthetics that reflect the way media is consumed and remembered today. The film's release also highlights the ongoing tension between real-life figures and their dramatized portrayals, as seen in the public dispute between Chris Hansen and A24.

What to watch

The film's box office performance will be closely watched in the coming weeks to see if its unconventional style can sustain audience interest. The real Chris Hansen's public response to the film may also have implications for the film's reception and for the broader debate over the ethics of dramatizing real-life events. The film's success may also influence future projects that seek to blend documentary and fiction, or that prioritize artistic expression over traditional realism.