Phoebe Bridgers Film Debut
Phoebe Bridgers makes her acting debut in Robert Pattinson's new thriller Primetime at Venice.
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Key Points
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Lance Oppenheim and Phoebe Bridgers were already friends before filming; Oppenheim had also directed the music video for Bridgers’ “Lost Boys.” Robert Pattinson said he did not know about their friendship when Oppenheim suggested casting her and responded, “Why don’t we just get the queen?”
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Oppenheim said Bridgers’ unusually deep speaking voice and ability to alter it in different settings helped convince him she was right for a decoy role. He recalled texting her that she was “perfect for this part,” despite her reply that she had never acted and did not know how.
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Bridgers’ decoy character is tasked with portraying both boys and girls on the fictionalized version of To Catch a Predator, adding a vocal and performance challenge beyond her general acting debut.
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The Venice premiere drew a broader group of cast and industry guests, including Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Alex Winter, Ari Aster, Bokeem Woodbine and Suki Waterhouse, alongside Pattinson, Bridgers and Oppenheim.
Phoebe Bridgers made her acting debut in Lance Oppenheim's thriller Primetime at the Venice International Film Festival, playing a decoy in a film inspired by the early-2000s NBC show To Catch a Predator. Vogue reported that Robert Pattinson stars as host Chris Hansen in the film, which explores the moral cost of sensationalist television and premieres September 25.
Bridgers said the acting experience initially felt intimidating, but Oppenheim's documentary-style direction put her at ease. Pattinson praised her as relaxed and convincing, saying she fit the film's difficult tone perfectly. She is also contributing a song to the end credits.
Unexpected Casting from an Existing Friendship
Bridgers and Oppenheim were already friends before filming — Oppenheim had directed her music video for Lost Boys. According to Vogue, Pattinson didn't know about their connection when Oppenheim suggested casting her. Pattinson responded with enthusiasm, saying, "Why don't we just get the queen?"
Her Voice Became the Key to Landing the Role
Oppenheim was struck by Bridgers' unusually deep speaking voice and her ability to shift it in different settings. He texted her that she was "perfect for this part," even though she said she had never acted and didn't know how. Her vocal range and performance flexibility made her ideal for the decoy role, which required portraying both boys and girls.
Venice Premiere Draws Major Industry Attendance
The Venice premiere brought together a broad cast and industry guests, including Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Alex Winter, Ari Aster, Bokeem Woodbine, and Suki Waterhouse. Extra TV reported that Pattinson's performance earned a seven-minute standing ovation at the festival.
A Film About Television's Darkest Impulses
Primetime uses the real-world To Catch a Predator format as its foundation but turns it into a thriller that examines sensationalism in media. The film asks hard questions about entertainment ethics and how networks built ratings by exploiting danger. Bridgers' decoy character sits at the center of these moral questions, adding weight to her debut performance.
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