Primetime - Review (London Film Festival 2026)

STNBY.

Seen at the BFI London Film Festival 2026

Review written by Jack Aling

Primetime is directed by Lance Oppenheim and written by Ajon Singh.

Starring Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo & Matthew Maher.

In 2006, To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen sets out to make television history. When a high stakes operation goes fatally wrong, his veneered dream of fame curdles into a nightmare of performative justice.

Predatory by nature, Primetime is a voyeuristic exploration of exploitation that loses itself to its obsession, becoming something far more sinister.

Lance Oppenheim has created a nightmarish vision following a man consumed by his desire to push boundaries. Claustrophobic framing, kaleidoscopic colours and the pixeled noise of MiniDV footage create an unnatural and maximalist experience that emulates the unrestrained attitude of early 2000s society and reality television.

Robert Pattinson chews the scenery as Chris Hansen, but it's Merritt Wever and Skyler Gisondo as the supporting cast that help ground the film, holding it back from leaning into parody.

Our verdict: 4 out of 5 stars.

Primetime arrives in UK cinemas on October 30th 2026.

Read more of Jack's reviews at: letterboxd.com/TheJackAling