Primate is hilarious, terrifying, and insanely bloody. It perfectly blends several genres to create an unforgettable theater experience.
When a big studio decides to show their film at a festival months before the slated theatrical release, it means that they have a lot of confidence in it. Paramount premiered Primate at Fantastic Fest in September of 2025, four months ahead of its release to theaters. And for very good reason because it is so much fun. This movie is going to get a lot of word of mouth that will help pack those theaters in January.
Johnny Sequoyah stars as Lucy, who comes with friends to visit family in Hawaii for the first time in a while. They have a pet chimp named Ben, whom they have raised. The film starts with information about rabies so it becomes instantly obvious where thngs are going. That said, it does not take away from any of the fun. It doesn’t take long for the first kill to happen and from that moment on, viewers will be screaming, laughing, and hiding behind their hands.
Sequoyah is incredible in this film. For a horror movie to work, really work, it needs to have a strong lead that will keep viewers rooting for them to get out of the craziest situations. Lucy is a complete badass, but she is also caring and protective of her younger sister (played by Gia Hunter). Johnny does a wonderful job of portraying all of these different aspects, showcasing just how versatile she is. She is a powerhouse and was the perfect casting choice for Lucy.
Another major standout of Primate is Troy Kotsur. I have always been a fan of his work so I was thrilled to see him in this, and he did not disappoint. There have not been a lot of Deaf actors in horror movies, and to say he impresses in this is an understatement. The way this is leaned into, and how viewers often step into his shoes and the movie falls silent, is brillaint. I really enjoyed these moments, especially as something crazy intense is happening behind him and he has no idea.
Going into this movie, it is very clear that it is about a “killer monkey”, which is terrifying because they are strong and formidable creatures that can absolutely kill a human in seconds if they wanted to. What I love so much about the character of Ben is the humor that co-writer and director Johannes Roberts wove into his scenes. He is hilarious at times, but in the most unsettling way. Many of the things he does will cause viewers to laugh because yes, they are funny, but it is also that nervous laughter as we truly do not know what this unhinged chimpanzee will do next.
Primate is one of those movies that begs to be seen in a theater setting, as do most horror movies. Seeing this film is an experience and best done in packed room, with many other people who have no idea what they are in for. This is a wild, bonkers, and ridiculously fun horror flick that is not soon forgotten. When I say they push the boundaries when it comes to the blood and gore, I mean it.
Do not miss out on Primate, you will regret it if you do.
About Primate
In PRIMATE, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.Â
Primate played at Fantastic Fest 2025 and comes to theaters January 9, 2026.
