When the cast of A24's Primetime finally sat down to watch the finished film, they were just as in the dark as the audience. According to co-stars Merritt Wever and Skyler Gisondo, the movie's blend of grainy documentary footage, funhouse aesthetics, and Robert Pattinson's kinetic, ever-shifting performance made it impossible to predict what would land on screen.
In Primetime, Pattinson plays TV host Chris Hansen, who, along with producer Andie Bender (Wever) and decoy Dan Plumb (Gisondo), chases a primetime slot for his sensational segment To Catch a Predator. The film also stars Anna Faris, Alex Winter, Phoebe Bridgers, and Bokeem Woodbine.
Speaking with Collider's Steve Weintraub, Wever and Gisondo shared stories from the set, revealing that Pattinson's unpredictable delivery meant no two takes were ever alike. "Rob jumps off a cliff in every take," Gisondo recalled, echoing director Lance Oppenheim's own description. "The first day, the first take, you have all these ideas in your head, and then the camera rolls, and it's beyond anything you could imagine."
Wever echoed that sentiment, noting that Pattinson's confidence and agility as an actor allowed him to try wildly different directions. "We saw takes all the way to the left and all the way to the right," she said. "It was wonderful to work with someone who felt that comfortable trying anything in the moment."
That unpredictability had a direct impact on their own performances. Wever admitted she was constantly on her toes, never knowing where Pattinson would go next, even geographically. "I was always at the mercy of having to pay attention to what direction he was going to run in," she said. Gisondo added that working with Pattinson pushed him to take bigger risks. "Before that movie, I wouldn't try many things because you're afraid to fail," he explained. "But working with Rob, it's like, 'Oh man, you gotta just try.'"
Oppenheim's documentary background also shaped the set's atmosphere, encouraging a free-for-all creative environment. "Lance wants to see anything," Wever said. "It's very, 'Best idea wins. Even if it's a bad idea, let's still try it.'" That combination of Pattinson's wild swings and Oppenheim's openness created a space where anything could happen.
Gisondo also teased his upcoming return to the DCU in a new Superman spin-off series centered on Jimmy Olsen. While he didn't reveal many details, he expressed excitement about the project, which is part of a growing slate of DC adaptations. For fans of crime thrillers, Primetime offers a fresh take on the genre, blending real-life horror with dark comedy.
Wever, meanwhile, is set to appear in J.J. Abrams' The Great Beyond, a project that remains shrouded in mystery. Both actors seem to thrive on the unexpected, a quality that serves them well in Primetime.
For those who appreciate psychological thrillers that keep you guessing, Primetime is a must-watch. The film's chaotic energy, driven by Pattinson's fearless performance, ensures that even its own stars were surprised by the final product.
