A new horror movie is about to take the classic “when animals attack” story to a terrifying new level. Primate, an upcoming film from Paramount Pictures, features a beloved family pet turning into a vicious killer. The movie recently premiered at festivals and its first full trailer has just been released, showing a tropical vacation devolving into a bloody fight for survival against a rabid chimpanzee.
What Is The New Horror Movie Primate About?
Primate has a simple and terrifying premise. The film follows a group of friends on a tropical vacation in Hawaii. Their holiday takes a nightmarish turn when the family’s adopted chimpanzee, named Ben, contracts rabies and becomes violently aggressive. What was once a loving member of the family transforms into a primal threat, forcing the vacationers into a terrifying struggle for survival.
The director, Johannes Roberts, described the film as “chimpanzee Cujo,” comparing it to the classic Stephen King story about a rabid dog. The story focuses on the group, led by college student Lucy, as they become trapped and must barricade themselves in the backyard pool area while the enraged Ben stalks them. The movie is a straightforward creature feature that uses its single location to build intense claustrophobic fear.
Who Is In The Cast Of The Film?
The film brings together a cast of rising stars and an Academy Award winner.
- Johnny Sequoyah plays the lead role of Lucy. Sequoyah is known for her role in the series Believe and more recently in Dexter: New Blood.
- Jessica Alexander plays Lucy’s friend Hannah. Alexander is recognized for her role in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid.
- Troy Kotsur, who won an Academy Award for his role in CODA, stars as Lucy’s father, Adam. Kotsur’s involvement brings a notable level of prestige to the project, and his character is a scientist who leaves the group alone just as the horror begins.
The supporting cast includes Victoria Wyant as Kate, Gia Hunter as Lucy’s sister, Erin, and Benjamin Cheng, Charlie Mann, and Tienne Simon as other friends caught in the chaos. The chimp, Ben, is portrayed by performer Miguel Torres Umba, who brings the creature to life primarily through practical effects and puppetry.
When Can You See Primate?
Primate has already begun its festival run, building positive buzz among horror fans.
- The movie had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 18, 2025.
- It also screened at other events like Beyond Fest and Sitges Film Festival in October 2025.
- The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in the United States on January 9, 2026.
This January release strategy has recently proven successful for other horror films like M3GAN and Scream, suggesting Paramount has confidence in the film’s potential to draw audiences to theaters.
What Are People Saying About the Movie?
Early reactions from those who saw the film at Fantastic Fest are overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its brutal and fun nature. Reviewers have highlighted the film’s dedication to practical effects and its surprisingly emotional core.
One reviewer from the festival noted the film’s shocking violence, saying:
Primate may have have some of the nastiest kills and practical effects I’ve seen in a movie this year.
Another festival-goer highlighted the film’s effective simplicity, calling it “Brutal and relentless creature feature.” The movie currently holds a high score on the review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong early critical reception. The film’s director, Johannes Roberts, introduced the premiere by joking, “Hopefully after this you will forgive me for Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City,” a comment that was well-received by the audience.
Who Is The Creative Mind Behind The Scenes?
Primate is directed by Johannes Roberts, who is known for crafting tense survival horror films like the 47 Meters Down series and The Strangers: Prey at Night. Roberts also co-wrote the screenplay with his frequent collaborator, Ernest Riera.
The movie is produced by Walter Hamada, the former head of DC Films, through his production company 18Hz Productions, which has a deal with Paramount to focus on horror projects. Just as the trailer for Primate launched, Paramount announced it had renewed its multi-year production deal with Hamada, signaling a strong ongoing commitment to the type of genre films that 18Hz produces.
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