Prepare to be terrified! Paramount Pictures is gearing up to unleash a primal scream with Primate, a horror film directed by Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down), slated to hit theaters on January 9, 2026. This isn't your average creature feature; it promises a unique twist on the classic horror formula.
The film centers around a tropical vacation gone horribly wrong, where a group of friends faces a fight for survival against a familiar foe: their beloved family pet. But this isn't a cuddly story. The pet, a chimpanzee named Ben, undergoes a terrifying transformation.
A new, exclusive featurette offers a sneak peek at Ben's evolution into a formidable killer. Roberts himself warns that Ben is an "incredibly powerful teddy bear that can just rip you apart limb from limb, but that’s just the beginning." Actors Johnny Sequoyah and Victoria Wyant share insights into Ben's journey from family favorite to vicious monster in the new clip.
The film's strength lies in its practical effects, courtesy of Millennium FX, and the performance of movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba, who brings Ben to life. The transformation of the chimp is a key element, enhanced by Roberts' suspenseful direction.
Roberts previously shared with Bloody Disgusting that they aimed to make the audience fall in love with Ben before turning them into terrified viewers. This required careful consideration of the chimp's age, appearance, and overall design.
Roberts co-wrote the screenplay with Ernest Riera. Adding to the film's appeal is the presence of Oscar®-winner Troy Kotsur (CODA), who takes on his first horror role.
But here's where it gets controversial... The film's concept of a killer chimp might remind some of other horror films with animal antagonists.
I wrote in my Fantastic Fest review, "Roberts’ latest is a lean, mean horror throwback, wearing its influences on its sleeves while managing to inject enough freshness into the familiar concept through slick technical precision and a constant mounting of dread and death. It’s also not without humor. Primatemay take its crazed beast with utmost seriousness, but it’s not afraid to get playful with its concept either."
What are your thoughts? Do you think the concept of a killer chimp is overdone, or does Primate offer a fresh take on the genre? Share your opinions in the comments!
Note: Information provided by a horror journalist, RT Top Critic, and Critics Choice Association member, who has appeared on PBS series' Monstrum, served on the SXSW Midnighter shorts jury, and moderated horror panels for WonderCon, SeriesFest, and Popcorn Frights Film Fest.
