Robert Pattinson's A24 Thriller Is Officially Being Pulled From Over 600 Theaters

One of the things we love most about Robert Pattinson is how he chooses whatever the heck he likes. His characters are quite often detestable and stand-offish, even Bruce Wayne at times, and he doesn't seem like he'd be fun to go for a coffee with. Well, his newest film has taken that approach into the world of true crime television, with Pattinson playing one of the most recognizable faces in American investigative journalism. Sadly, despite great reviews, the film's theatrical run is already beginning to shrink.

Primetime has officially lost 625 theaters in its third weekend, falling from 2,894 locations to 2,269 across North America, according to The Numbers. The A24 thriller opened on September 25 and has earned approximately $41.5 million domestically, but its weekend earnings have fallen considerably since its $18.8 million debut. Its second weekend brought in $7.7 million, followed by another $4 million during its third.

The movie stars Pattinson as the explosive television journalist Chris Hansen, who became a national figure when his Dateline spin-off To Catch a Predator became a cultural phenomenon during the 2000s on NBC. It begins in 2006 when Hansen is just starting out, exploring the production of the controversial series, the honey trap methods they use to snare the criminals, and the lengths people will go to for the purposes of "entertainment."

The cast is led by Pattinson (The Batman), alongside Merritt Wever (Nurse Jackie), Skyler Gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones), Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher (Our Flag Means Death), Bokeem Woodbine (Fargo), Anna Faris (The House Bunny) and Alex Winter (Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure). The film is directed by Lance Oppenheim.

How Has 'Primetime' Performed at the Box Office?

Primetime got off to a respectable start, earning $18.8 million during its opening weekend from 2,874 theaters. That gave the movie a per-theater average of $6,552, but the numbers dropped sharply during its second weekend, when ticket sales fell 59%.

The third weekend brought another 48% decline, with the movie earning approximately $4 million from 2,269 theaters. Its per-theater average has now fallen to $1,769, which helps explain why A24 has begun reducing the number of locations showing it. Pattison's performance and Oppenheimer's unsettling style of directing have been heavily praised, but some critics have asked if the movie explores its subject deeply enough.

Primetime is playing in theaters now.