[Film Review] Primate (2026)

There is a special place in many horror fan’s hearts for animal attack films, something that truly digs deep into that evolutionary terror that we are not the apex predator in most situations. Primate (2026) delves into this fear with an enthusiasm that knows no bounds. Whilst it may not be the most original of storylines, especially if you’ve seen (or read) Cujo (1983), Primate does hold its own personal charm that is perfect for communal viewing on the big screen, so much that it may be time to update our list of Best 15 Horror Films with Animals. 

Chimpanzees are one of the closest living relatives to humans, sharing over 98% of the same DNA. Their behaviour patterns, social systems and emotional intelligence match our society so innately, that it makes sense for them to also share our flaws. Chimpanzees have been known to hold grudges, create societal stigmas around other members of their groups, and to inflict violence for enjoyment. These small nuances of animal behaviour are ingrained within the narrative of Primate in such a natural way that they may go unnoticed but would be felt if absent.

Although the reasoning behind the ape on human violence in this film is unfortunately not due to our similarities in nature, and why it’s a terrible idea to keep wild animals as pets, it certainly plays a significant role in the set up and explanation of how this small chimp has found its place in the family home. Combining this with the believable friendship dynamics and familial loyalty of the lead characters, Primate holds the recipe for success. Leading lady Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) shines as a beacon of desperate survival, whilst deaf father Adam (Troy Kotsur) adds an additional element of tension during scenes from his perspective, where the audience are left in total silence, unable to warn the casually sauntering dad about the violence behind him as he chews on leftover pizza. 

The true attraction of this film, however, is the unyielding and relentless violence splattered across screens. From the first scene, gorehounds will be barking in their seats as the blood and viscera explode in abundance with attack after attack. No one is safe from this ape’s reign of mouth- foaming terror, with the shots often lingering on the aftermath long enough to take in all those brutal details. Thankfully Primate doesn’t hold back, there is nothing implied about what Ben the chimp is doing, and without this constant barrage of violence, the film could have run the risk of fading into the background, as yet another average story of why you shouldn’t trust wild animals. Credit for the mainly practical effects in this film go to Millenium FX, who brought Ben to life alongside character performer Miguel Torres Umba.

Although there are many positives to note about Primate, its main downfall is the overall story. With its tight runtime just shy of 90 minutes, some audiences may find it easy to forgive the lack of narrative components, but for those seasoned movie lovers who need a little more to challenge them, Primate may end up feeling a little ‘been there, done that’. On the other hand, you could sayit could be argued that this is exactly what filmmaker Johannes Roberts was aiming for, an unabashed B-movie style romp that will bring joy to the popcorn munching masses through its wild ride of ape violence.

Primate hits UK and Irish cinemas on 30th January.

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