Primate: A Wildly Entertaining Take on the Chimpanzee Horror Genre
Emotional Statement: Imagine a pet chimp turning into a bloodthirsty killer, leaving a trail of gory mayhem in its wake. It's a thrilling and controversial take on the horror genre, and it's exactly what you need for a wild ride. But here's where it gets controversial...
The horror genre has seen its fair share of glum and trauma-heavy films in recent times. However, British director Johannes Roberts has decided to take a different approach with his latest creation, Primate. Instead of aiming for the lofty heights of Don't Look Now and Possession, Roberts has crafted a gory creature feature that is both refreshing and straight-to-the-point. The result is a slick and well-made crowd-pleaser that swaps out the baboon for the chimp, cleverly turning the test subject into a domesticated pet.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: The film's controversial take on the chimp as a domesticated pet and then a bloodthirsty killer is sure to spark debate. Many may argue that chimps should not be considered part of the family, and the film does a stern and grisly job of reminding us of this. But is it too much to ask for a little more understanding and empathy towards these intelligent creatures?
The story follows Ben, a chimp who becomes part of a Hawaii-based family when the late matriarch's linguistics work follows her home from the lab. He lives with teenager Erin and her crimewriter father Adam in a luxurious and remote cliffside house. The family is visited by absent eldest daughter Lucy, who has retreated since the death of her mother. As the weekend unfolds, Ben starts exhibiting some alarmingly odd behavior, and the group takes refuge in the middle of the pool when Ben contracts rabies and becomes a bloodthirsty killer.
Controversial Interpretation: The film's controversial take on the chimp as a domesticated pet and then a bloodthirsty killer is sure to spark debate. Many may argue that chimps should not be considered part of the family, and the film does a stern and grisly job of reminding us of this. But is it too much to ask for a little more understanding and empathy towards these intelligent creatures?
Roberts gets right to the action, perhaps a little too quickly. I could have done with a couple more scenes of Ben as a pet rather than a predator to flesh out the family dynamic and hammer home the horror of his turn. But once we're off to the races, it's a thrilling sprint to the finish. The creature work is remarkably effective, a rare modern feat of practical effects, and it pulls us that much closer to the chaos unfolding, adding a physical connection to something that could have felt digitally alienating.
Controversial Counterpoint: While some may argue that the film's portrayal of a chimp as a bloodthirsty killer is too sensationalized, others may see it as a necessary reminder of the dangers of domestication and the importance of understanding and respecting the natural world. The film's controversial take on the chimp as a domesticated pet and then a bloodthirsty killer is sure to spark debate and encourage discussion.
Primate is a wildly entertaining start to 2026, and it's a film that is sure to spark debate and encourage discussion. It's a thrilling and controversial take on the horror genre, and it's exactly what you need for a wild ride. So, are you ready to take the plunge and explore the dark side of the chimp? The film is out in US and UK cinemas on 9 January and in Australia on 22 January.
