Primate (2026) – Review and Summary

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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“Primate” Film Details

• Director(s): Johannes Roberts
• Writer(s): Johannes Roberts, Ernest Riera
• Distributor: Paramount Pictures
• Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 29 Minutes
• Public Release Date (In Theaters): January 9, 2026
• Genre(s): Horror, Young Adult
• Content Rating: Rated R
• Primary Language: English | Non-English (Sign Language)
• More Information (External Link)

Movie Summary

Lucy has been away from her family for a while, especially after her mom passed from cancer. But, with college finals over, she decides to come home to Hawaii with her best friend Kate and Kate’s friend Hannah. At first, things were good. Lucy reunited with Kate’s brother, her childhood crush, Nick, and while Lucy’s dad, Adam, was as focused on work as ever, Erin, in time, warmed up to her big sister being back.

But then there is Ben. Lucy’s mom, being a linguistics professor, was famous for trying to bridge the communication gap between primates and humans, and Ben was what led to her getting notable acclaim. However, while Ben is generally friendly and nice, like any animal, he is sensitive, vulnerable, and one incident turns this Mr. Bubbles-like primate into a sadistic killer.

Cast and Characters

Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]

• Character Summary: Lucy is the eldest of two, who has stayed away from her family for a while, opting to stay on campus rather than return home to Hawaii.

Kate (Victoria Wyant)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Kate is Lucy’s best friend, who is also from Hawaii, and whose brother has long been Lucy’s crush.

Hannah (Jess Alexander)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Hannah is one of Kate’s friends, turned Lucy’s rival for Nick, who is very flirtatious.

Adam (Troy Kotsur)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Adam is a renowned writer of many books, with a few movie adaptations helping to pad his pockets, but in pursuit of career success, his daughters do get neglected a bit.

Ben (Voice: Ben Pronsky | Performance: Miguel Torres Umba)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring Miguel Torres Umba: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring Ben Pronsky: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Ben is a primate raised by Adam’s wife, a linguist, who was taught an immense amount of sign language and was treated as a member of the family.

Nick (Benjamin Cheng)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Nick is Hannah’s brother, whom Lucy has had a crush on forever, but it always seemed like bad timing to make a move.

Erin (Gia Hunter)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: Erin is Lucy’s little sister.

What To Expect In “Primate” (Rated R) – Content Overview

• Dialog:
  • Cursing: Occasional
• Graphic Imagery or Violence:
  • Violence Against Animals: Yes (Context: Ben Is Fighting For His Life, And Everyone Is Trying Not To Get Killed By Ben)
  • Gore/ Blood/ Body Horror: Moderate (Context: Bleeding, Depiction of Open Wounds, Notable Disfigurement)
  • Notable Violence: Intense Fight Scenes
• Miscellaneous:
  • Drinking: Yes
  • Drug Use: Recreational
  • Smoking: Yes
  • Intense Horror/ Jump Scares: Occasional

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

Ben Mocking Everyone As He Kills Them [85/100]

Horror and comedy go together like biopics and trauma winning Oscars. But, in the case of Primate, the comedy of Ben killing people comes from the fact that, before or after, he will mock either the person he killed or those watching. He pulls someone’s jaw off and mocks them for trying to talk him down. As shown in the trailer, but expanded in the movie, he will mess with you for thinking you could escape him, and slow down how brutal he can be, just to play mind games with you.

It truly pushes the need to question why, after all those Planet Of The Apes movies, why did no one think of something like Primate till now?

How Sign Language And Adam Being Deaf Was Used [82/100]

Adam is deaf, his family signs, and the film uses this both to highlight sign language and the capabilities of a primate to communicate that way, while also creating some comic situations where things happen and Adam is oblivious to it. But, let it be clear, Adam isn’t made into a joke.

While a bit oblivious to his daughters’ needs, even if just quality time, when it is time for him to be a protector, more than any other character, he goes toe to toe with Ben in ways that are impressive. I’m talking him more than compensating for putting his career before his kids, and being within eye shot of father of the year.

Brutal Kills That Make You Flinch [83/100]

Because Ben isn’t walking around with a weapon, it means his kills are based on luck, strength, and the fact that he is sometimes underestimated. One character thinks the sound of keys, talking like Ben is simple, will calm him down, and he learns his lesson. When someone thinks they can just push Ben off a cliff, they end up taking his place, and you see the brutal landing, which has that person landing on the top of their head.

So many moments will make you jump or flinch like they are straight-up jump scares, but what they really are are ways that allow Primate to stand out beyond its gimmick.

On The Fence

The Early Movie Love Triangle [77/100]

Let me be very clear, the whole drama of Kate’s new friend potentially swooping in and snatching Nick, who just became single, is barely a focus of Primate. However, when the love triangle is first introduced, it isn’t something that makes you feel bad for Lucy as much as it makes you roll your eyes.

Thankfully, the film makes it clear that it will not be something you have to deal with for the entire movie.

Overall

Our Rating (81/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

Primate exceeds the low expectations often set for movies released in January, especially horror films, by being unique, brutal, sometimes funny, and avoiding the main thing that could have made it a challenge to get through.

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