Director Johannes Roberts kicks off the 2026 horror movie season with “Primate” from Paramount Pictures. Roberts also co-wrote the screenplay with Ernest Riera. College student Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) is heading home to Hawaii to visit her deaf author father, Adam (Troy Kotsur), and baby sister.
Tagging along are her best friend (Victoria Wyatt) and another acquaintance named Hannah (Jess Alexander). Upon arriving in Hawaii, they link up with Nick (Benjamin Chang), their older brother. Upon arriving at Lucy’s house, we quickly learn that she has a pet chimp that her late mother rescued, who is essentially a member of her family.
When Adam departs on his latest book tour, Lucy’s friends stay and keep her company. However, when a rabid mongoose bites Ben and becomes hostile, the friends must band together if they hope to survive.
On paper, “Primate” has a simple enough premise, and the key to a movie like this working is the creative team not taking the film too seriously. Roberts kicks the film off with a creative, gory kill and effectively sets up our story. We meet a few minor characters, including two obvious frat boys (Charlie Mann and Tienne Simon), who we know are going to meet a gruesome end.
Ben Pronsky provides the voice of Ben, while Miguel Torres Umba handles the physical work, and gore fans can take solace in the fact that Ben plays no games and the kills are bloody and graphic. As for the human cast, they deliver the acting tropes this horror film requires. To my surprise, there wasn’t a character that I particularly disliked or one that I was waiting to bite the dust.
It’s surprising to see Oscar winner Troy Kotsur in a film like this, given the history of chimps and sign language. I think the studio opted for a more realistic approach. Naturally, some viewers will question the film’s logic and choices, but that’s part of the fun.
Running at brisk ninety minutes, “Primate” won’t win awards, but it’s a solid kick-off to the 2026 horror movie season.
Final Grade: B
“Primate” is in theaters tomorrow, January 7th.
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