Phoebe Bridgers Shares New Song "On Video" for A24’s Primetime

A24’s latest cinematic venture, Primetime, officially hits theaters today, bringing a gripping and intense narrative to the big screen under the direction of filmmaker Lance Oppenheim. The film chronicles the infamous 2000s television program To Catch a Predator and its iconic, ubiquitous host, Chris Hansen. Stepping into the shoes of Hansen is acclaimed actor Robert Pattinson, leading a stellar ensemble cast that features Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and musician-turned-actor Phoebe Bridgers. While Bridgers’ transition into a prominent film role has already generated significant buzz among cinephiles and music fans alike, her involvement in the project extends far beyond her on-screen performance. As it turns out, Bridgers recorded an entirely new original song specifically for the movie and its accompanying soundtrack. Titled "On Video," the track serves as a major sonic component of the feature film.

"On Video" is far from a standard, one-off single that was casually tacked onto the movie during post-production to boost promotional efforts. Instead, Bridgers carefully composed the track specifically for Primetime, drawing deep, atmospheric influence from composer Ari Balouzian’s original score for the film. The result is a cohesive musical piece that functions as the official end credits theme, offering audiences a haunting and memorable sonic send-off as they digest the heavy themes explored in Oppenheim’s cinematic examination of early-2000s reality television and media sensationalism.

For Bridgers, Primetime marks a significant milestone in her artistic career as her first official role as a credited movie cast member. However, it technically is not her very first film appearance. In 2024, she made a memorable cameo appearance as herself in Jane Schoenbrun’s critically acclaimed horror film I Saw the TV Glow, a project that also featured contributions from other notable indie music figures such as Snail Mail and Fred Durst. With Primetime, however, Bridgers takes a more substantial step into the world of narrative filmmaking, further expanding her creative footprint beyond the traditional boundaries of the singer-songwriter sphere.

The release of Primetime and the accompanying single arrives during an exceptionally busy and triumphant period for Bridgers as a solo artist. Last month, she made her long-awaited and highly anticipated return to the forefront of solo music with the release of Lost Weekend. The album stands as her third full-length solo LP and her first major solo release in six years, following her critically lauded 2020 breakout record Punisher. Lost Weekend has been met with widespread critical acclaim and enthusiastic support from her devoted fanbase, reestablishing her as one of the most vital and distinctive voices in contemporary alternative music.

To support the release of her new record, Bridgers is currently out on the road, undertaking an extensive headlining tour. True to her collaborative spirit, she has invited several of the album’s primary collaborators to join her on the journey, helping her bring the intricate arrangements and emotional weight of Lost Weekend to life on stages across the country. The tour has already provided fans with numerous unforgettable moments, blending fresh material with beloved cuts from her catalog.

The synergy between her cinematic endeavors and her musical tour came to a head on her release-day stop in Brooklyn, which coincided precisely with the theatrical debut of Primetime. During the triumphant concert, Bridgers treated the audience to a massive surprise when she staged a mini-reunion of Boygenius, bringing out her bandmates Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker. Together, the trio delighted the packed crowd by performing stirring renditions of fan-favorite tracks "Not Strong Enough" and "Cool About It," creating a magical intersection of her various creative projects on a day already defined by major artistic milestones. As Primetime plays in theaters nationwide and "On Video" reaches the ears of eager listeners, Bridgers continues to solidify her status as a multi-faceted creative force across both film and music.