We saw “Primate”, the first great horror film of 2026

We have seen in the future. Every January, Hollywood provides some horror films to launch the new year and, in 2026, one of these films is Primate. It is a horror film of less than 90 minutes on a killer chimpanzee with the winner of Oscar, Troy Kotsur, who has just passed his world premiere to the Fantastic Fest 2025. And, we think, sliding it in early January is perfect because the film meets, but does not go beyond expectations.

Directed by Johannes Roberts (47 meters below, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City),, Primate is an original story about a family that has a pet chimpanzee. Really, just say this kind of telling you exactly what to expect, because it is clearly such a terrible idea (having a chimpanzee, not making a film on this subject). Even so things seem good. The eldest daughter, Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah), returns to Hawaii after being absent and is delighted to spend time with her father (Kotsur) and the little sister. She also brings some friends for the trip and even meets some guys from the party on the plane. The scene is ready for an epic return to the island.

It is there that Lucy reconnects with the chimpanzee for pets from the family, Ben (sometimes played in a costume of Miguel Torres Umba). For a wild animal that lives in their house, Ben seems pretty kind. Thanks to their late mother, Ben has been with them for years. He is loving, fun and communicative. Just another family member. What they do not count on, however, is that Ben catches the rage is when the whole hell comes off.

When it happens, Primate took more than its fair share of time to set up these characters, Ben included. We know that mom died of cancer. We know that Lucy has cut off to cope with sorrow. We know that Dad threw himself into his work, etc. There is a lot to explore there, but the film takes such a drastic change in tone and story that almost all of this is largely forgotten. It’s shocking, but fortunately, this radical change in tone of summer drama to an intense and violent animal film works because Roberts really puts all his attention in this second part.

To keep things focused, Primate Maintains all the isolated action for the family home. And, for a large part of this, it is even more centralized around the swimming pool. Having these focal points makes the action very anchored and full of suspense. Just when you think there is not a new way to terrorize the characters, he finds one. Eliminations, many, are excessively raw and satisfactory as well. Which, in turn, endeavors to take the character ben sweet, cute and friendly and to make him the monster he needs. At the beginning, it is easy to feel bad for the sick animal, but once it begins to tear people’s face, all bets are turned off. It also helps a lot that the creature has been animated by mainly using physical effects. This gives the film a pleasant and nostalgic sensation, even if it is clearly modern.

In addition, because the chimpanzees are so intelligent – and ben in particular, because it is largely domesticated –Primate At a welcome level of unpredictability. Now it’s not extremely surprising at any time. He mainly follows tropes of horror films, such as characters who make bad decisions, wild coincidences that occur, etc., which can become a little frustrating and repetitive. But because the killer is this rabid, but intelligent animal, there are fun and unique moments dotted to keep things propulsive.

In the end, while Primate is not without defects, it works more than it does. It’s a bit basic, a bit of sublet, but it keeps you committed. It also helps well punctuated within 90 minutes. No one does work that defines the career here either, but they don’t have to do so. The performances correspond to the story, the killed are bloody, and overall, you feel like looking at something that is just quite fun. It is an average horror film, but by going out in the generally disappointing January outing window, the average is quite good. It will be a fun way to start next year.

Primate Had his world premiere at the Fantastic Fest 2025 and will widely open on January 9, 2026.

Do you want more iO9 news? Find out when you expect the latest Marvel outings, Star Wars and Star Trek, what is the next step for the DC universe on cinema and television, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.