Primetime trailer: Everything to know about new crime thriller starring Robert Pattinson

A24 has released the official trailer for Primetime, a new crime thriller starring Robert Pattinson that explores the complicated relationship between crime investigations, media attention and public fascination.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim, the film takes inspiration from the world of crime sting programmes, following the people involved in exposing offenders while raising questions about the ethics of turning investigations into television entertainment.

The trailer, released on Thursday, August 6, 2026, introduces Pattinson as a figure at the centre of a high-pressure operation where the pursuit of justice is tied to the demands of producing a successful television show.

As the team works to capture criminals on camera, the film appears to examine the motivations behind such investigations and the consequences of making them public.

Crime thriller about media and morality

Unlike a traditional crime drama focused only on criminals and investigations, Primetime appears to explore the wider system behind televised crime programmes.

The trailer highlights the tension between justice and spectacle, suggesting that the film will question whether these operations are solely about protecting people or whether ratings, recognition and public attention also play a role.

Scenes showing rehearsals, confrontations and behind-the-scenes planning create an atmosphere of pressure and uncertainty.

The film appears to explore the psychological impact of being involved in a world where crime becomes part of a public performance.

Robert Pattinson leads the cast

Pattinson takes on a role that appears to require both authority and emotional complexity. The trailer shows him shifting between confident confrontations and moments of deeper intensity, suggesting a character driven by ambition and a strong sense of purpose.

The film also features Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Matthew Maher and Bokeem Woodbine, who join Pattinson in the ensemble cast.

With its focus on crime, television and the blurred boundaries between justice and entertainment, Primetime presents a different approach to the crime thriller genre.

The film is expected to explore how audiences consume crime stories and the moral questions that come with turning real-world issues into entertainment.

Primetime is scheduled to be released in theatres on September 25.