Primate review: Fun creature feature with a diabolical villain

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Primate is a thrilling horror movie about a chimpanzee facing off against a group of irritating teenagers. It really delivers on its wild concept thanks to fantastic practical effects.

The ‘animals attack’ genre is a classic in horror, and it’s spawned a particularly enjoyable sub-genre where beloved pets turn dangerous. A prime example of this is the 1983 film *Cujo*, based on the novel by Stephen King, which is often considered the best of its kind.

Okay, so I just played this game called Primate, and it’s pretty wild. The basic idea is it explores the same kind of dark territory as other games, but it does it by using rabies. They take an animal you’d normally think of as cute and harmless and turn it into a seriously dangerous, aggressive enemy. It’s a really unsettling mechanic, honestly.

Instead of a friendly, gentle giant like a St. Bernard, the villain in this story is a chimpanzee. This makes for a powerful enemy with incredible strength, sharp teeth, and a surprisingly large and imposing personality.

What is Primate about?

The movie begins with a scene showing Ben the chimp becoming aggressive after being bitten by a mongoose carrying rabies.

The story then flashes back 36 hours to show us the group of friends – or potential victims – who are central to the plot. They’re mostly similar young adults going to Hawaii to celebrate finishing their exams with some drinks and fun.

The story centers around Lucy (played by Johnny Sequoyah) and her friends who are spending their vacation at her father’s lovely beach house. As you’d expect with teenagers, they experience the usual drama – crushes, jealousy, fights, and some hurt feelings.

Things get tense with some family drama, and a frightening situation arises with Ben, who is acting aggressively. The guests are surprised to learn a primate is part of Lucy’s family, but she insists he’s okay.

He’s definitely not okay, as the rabies begins to affect his mind, causing Ben to become violently aggressive, and even the sight of water sets him off. This creates a dangerous situation when Lucy’s friends decide to go for a late-night swim, leading to a chaotic and thrilling showdown between Ben and his inner beast.

Magical practical effects

Miguel Torres Umba brings the character Ben to life while dressed in a monkey costume, and the performance is enhanced by impressive creature effects.

Umba’s acting, along with Ben’s convincing expressions, makes the character incredibly believable. We first see the chimp as gentle and kind, but as rabies takes over, he battles his instincts, ultimately succumbing to fury and unleashing destruction.

Okay, so this character, Ben, is seriously clever. He doesn’t just brute force things – he *outsmarts* his enemies, and honestly, it’s really satisfying to watch. Plus, he’s got a pretty twisted sense of humor, which leads to some hilarious, over-the-top takedowns. I actually laughed out loud a few times!

Is Primate good?

Just like the chimpanzee featured in the film, ‘Primate’ is a fast-paced and intense thriller. At only 89 minutes long, it’s a gripping experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Lucy is a charming main character, and her scenes with her father, portrayed brilliantly by Troy Kotsur, add real emotional depth to the film, making the animal attacks truly impactful.

Okay, so “Primate” might not reinvent the monster movie, but honestly, it’s a blast! It’s got some seriously funny moments and really awesome, over-the-top kills. I think a lot of people are going to *love* this one – it’s just a really fun watch.

Primate score: 4/5

I really enjoyed ‘Primate’! What makes it work so well, for me, is the monster itself. It’s not just scary, it’s actually a really compelling character – memorable and genuinely evil, but in a way that makes you strangely fascinated.

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2025-09-20 23:19