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Primate review: Rabid chimp turns tropical paradise into a bloodbath
18th April, 2026 07:31 PM
Hawaii has never looked more dangerous.
Johannes Roberts’ Primate (2026) takes the classic “killer animal” formula and injects it with raw aggression, turning a dream vacation into a nightmare of blood and terror. The film follows Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah), who returns to her family’s stunning cliffside villa in Hawaii with a group of college friends.
Living with her father, Adam (Troy Kotsur), is Ben, a chimpanzee the family has raised like a child since Lucy’s mother passed away. What starts as a relaxing getaway filled with sun, swimming, and parties quickly descends into chaos when Ben contracts rabies after a wild animal bite.
Relentless attacks
As the virus takes over, the once-affectionate chimp transforms into a savage, unstoppable predator. Roberts wastes little time building suspense. Within the first half-hour, Primate shifts gears from tropical slice-of-life to full-blown horror, delivering relentless attacks that are as brutal as they are creative. The strength of the film lies in its practical effects and the chilling physical performance of Ben.
The chimpanzee’s movements feel disturbingly real, making every chase and attack hit harder. Blood sprays across pristine white walls and turquoise pools, creating a shocking contrast between paradise and primal violence. The beautiful Hawaiian locations work perfectly as a backdrop, making the horror feel even more invasive and terrifying.
The cast handles the escalating panic well enough
While the human characters are not deeply developed, the cast handles the escalating panic well enough to keep viewers engaged. Sequoyah brings believable vulnerability to Lucy, while Troy Kotsur adds quiet emotional weight as the father who refuses to accept what his “son” has become.
At a tight 89 minutes, Primate moves at a brisk pace. It does not pretend to be more than a gory creature feature, and that honesty works in its favour. Fans of films like Cujo, The Shallows, or old-school slashers will find plenty to enjoy in the relentless kills and jump-scare energy.
Primate is not revolutionary, but it is viciously entertaining. It embraces its B-movie DNA and delivers exactly what horror fans crave: fast pacing, impressive gore, and a memorable monster
