Could you imagine your family pet going rabid and attacking you? That is exactly the plot of the new bone-chilling film, Primate. However, this family pet is a bit unusual. Primate is an American natural horror film that takes place in Hawaii, and the star of the movie is a chimpanzee named Ben. Ben was bitten by a rabid animal and began to turn on his adopted family.

The film begins with a captivating, gory, and violent hook that sets the scene for the movie. The film then cuts to a few college students visiting a classmate named Lucy and her family in a remote part of Hawaii. The movie makes sure to focus on the fact that Ben, the chimpanzee, is a very intelligent animal. He’s even begun to understand how to use a soundboard to communicate with his and Lucy’s family. As the night goes on, a mongoose is discovered in Ben’s enclosure. Lucy’s dad, Adam, sends the mongoose off to get tested for any diseases. In the meantime, Lucy’s family and her visitors notice a disturbance about Ben. Eventually, they discover that he is missing. Ben didn’t run off; however, he is still lurking around the property. The lab results came back, saying the mongoose tested positive for rabies, but it was too late. Ben begins violent attacks on the family and friends, leaving some traumatized and others dead. The few survivors are eventually saved by the police, but are they really safe? The movie ends with the chimpanzee’s soundboard saying, “Lucy bad.” This leaves Lucy and the audience with an eerie feeling.

The film was written and directed by Johannes Roberts, along with some assistance from Ernest Riera. The movie stars actors Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Troy Kotsur. Primate first premiered at the Fantastic Fest back in September. It was released by Paramount Pictures on January ninth, 2026. The film has received overall positive reviews. It has been labeled as the fourth highest-grossing film of 2026 so far, making around $24 million worldwide. It is a very action-packed, gore-filled horror film, and it does a great job of capturing the audience. If you’re looking for a suspenseful movie to keep you on your toes, Primate is the film for you.