Hot Docs, ‘Primetime’ Fever and More Lessons From the Fall Film Festivals

Fall film festival season is upon us, and the buzz around the movies is palpable. Three standout films have captured the attention of audiences and critics alike: A24's "Primetime," directed by Lance Oppenheim and featuring Robert Pattinson, and two documentary gems, Nathan Fielder's "You Can See Everything" and Alex Gibney's "Musk."

"Primetime" has generated significant buzz, with Pattinson's performance receiving glowing reviews. The film follows Chris Hansen's quest for ratings glory in the controversial "To Catch a Predator" show, exploring the moral quandaries that arise. Given the success of Pattinson's previous film "The Drama" this spring, "Primetime" could be a significant box office hit when it opens on September 25.

Meanwhile, the documentary world is abuzz with three highly anticipated films. First, Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's secret documentary about Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, titled "You Can See Everything," received rave reviews at the Telluride Film Festival. Fielder's popularity with Gen Z audiences bodes well for the film's potential success when it releases in October.

Additionally, Alex Gibney's four-hour documentary about Elon Musk, "Musk," has already sparked controversy after Musk threatened to sue over the film. Lastly, "NAZA," a film about the killing of Palestinians in Gaza, directed by the team behind "No Other Land," is seeking distribution.

One of the most talked-about films at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is "I Play Rocky," directed by Peter Farrelly. The movie, which charts the making of the classic "Rocky" film, received a standing ovation during its premiere and is being released by Amazon on November 6, hoping to capitalize on the holiday season.