Published on: 10 Oct 2026, 12:30 pm
Updated on: 10 Oct 2026, 12:30 pm
Overview:
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Explore five gripping films that share Primetime’s themes of crime, ambition, media obsession, fame, and moral ambiguity.
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Discover Robert Pattinson’s acclaimed performance in Good Time alongside unforgettable media-focused and psychological crime movies.
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From Nightcrawler to The King of Comedy, find compelling films exploring entertainment, celebrity, ambition, and obsession.
Robert Pattinson has spent the last few years choosing roles that are a little darker, stranger and far removed from the blockbuster image that first made him famous. His latest film, Primetime, continues that trend, putting him at the centre of a story about television, crime, ambition and the uncomfortable relationship between news and entertainment.
The film is particularly interesting as it does not simply focus on the crime at its centre. It also looks at the people behind the camera, the desire for ratings and the lengths people can go to when a compelling story becomes a business.
If ‘Primetime’ left you wanting more films with complicated characters, dark humour, media obsession and morally grey stories, here are five movies worth watching next.
If you enjoyed the darker side of ‘Primetime’, Nightcrawler is probably the first movie you should watch.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a freelance cameraman who discovers that violent crime footage can be a ticket to success. What starts as an opportunity quickly turns into an obsession, and Lou becomes increasingly willing to cross ethical lines to get the perfect shot.
The film is disturbing as it shows how easily tragedy can become entertainment when ratings and money are involved. It is tense, unsettling and still feels uncomfortably relevant.
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Network (1976)
‘Network’ may be nearly five decades old, but its ideas about television feel surprisingly familiar.
The film follows Howard Beale, a news anchor whose emotional breakdown becomes a ratings sensation. Instead of treating his crisis with concern, the network sees an opportunity to attract viewers.
Much like ‘Primetime’, the movie questions what happens when serious stories and human emotions are turned into television spectacles. It is sharp, funny and occasionally uncomfortable, exactly what makes it such a memorable watch.
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To Die For (1995)
Nicole Kidman takes centre stage in this dark comedy about Suzanne Stone, a woman who wants nothing more than to become a television star.
Her ambition begins innocently enough, but her obsession with fame gradually takes a much darker turn. The movie plays with ideas of celebrity, manipulation and the lengths people will go to get noticed.
If the fame and television angle of ‘Primetime’ caught your attention, To Die For offers a similarly cynical look at what happens when being famous becomes more important than almost anything else.
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Good Time (2017)
If you’re watching ‘Primetime’ for Robert Pattinson, ‘Good Time’ should be near the top of your list. Pattinson plays Connie Nikas, a desperate criminal whose attempt to help his brother quickly spirals into a chaotic night across New York City. The movie barely gives you time to breathe as Connie moves from one bad decision to another.
Pattinson is terrific here. He is frantic, unpredictable and often difficult to like, but you cannot look away. It is one of the performances that showed just how far he could push himself as an actor.
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The King of Comedy (1982)
Martin Scorsese’s ‘The King of Comedy’ takes a different route but explores many of the same ideas surrounding fame and television.
Robert De Niro plays Rupert Pupkin, an aspiring comedian who becomes convinced that he deserves his big break. His desire to become famous slowly turns into an unhealthy obsession.
The film is funny in places, but there is always something unsettling underneath it. If you liked ‘Primetime’s exploration of ambition, celebrity and the entertainment industry, this is a fascinating companion piece.
Final Take
What makes ‘Primetime’ interesting is that it sits somewhere between a crime story and a commentary on the media. It is about what happens when the search for a compelling story starts competing with questions of ethics and responsibility.
These five movies explore similar territory in very different ways. Nightcrawler looks at the business of shocking news, Network tears into television ratings, To Die For explores celebrity obsession, Good Time gives Pattinson another unforgettable performance, while The King of Comedy examines the darker side of chasing fame.
