Outline:
A Bloody Start to 2026 for Horror Fans
The past year has been a goldmine for horror enthusiasts, with the genre making waves in various top movie lists. From films like Sinners to Weapons, there was no shortage of terrifying entertainment. Now, as we look ahead to 2026, the horror landscape is already heating up with Primate, the first major horror release of the year. Critics are weighing in on this new entry, and it seems that the year is off to a particularly gory start.
A Violent Chimpanzee Takes Center Stage
Primate follows a family whose Hawaiian vacation turns into a nightmare when Ben, an adopted chimpanzee, is bitten by a rabid animal. The incident transforms him into a violent killing machine, leading to a series of gruesome encounters. The film blends elements of slasher and practical effects, creating a unique horror experience.
Clint Worthington of RogerEbert praises the film’s approach, calling it a "no-frills, all-chills gorefest" that delivers exactly what fans expect from a January horror release. He gives it a 3 out of 4 stars, noting:
"There’s an atavistic joy to be had in the January slasher—the kind of no-frills, all-chills gorefest that often comes around in the sleepy opening weeks of the year… Primate is precisely that: lean, mean, and chimpanzee-n. It gets you in and out of the theater in less than 90 minutes, squirming in your seat and yelling at the screen."
A Chimp That Strikes Fear
Owen Gleiberman of Variety describes Primate as an "everyday chimp-goes-ape slasher," highlighting its formulaic yet clever approach. He notes that the film may cause some chuckles due to the sheer amount of damage Ben can inflict. Gleiberman continues:
"Is Primate a slickly executed piece of slaughterhouse shlock? Very much so. Yet Ben, as a slasher, represents a minor triumph of practical effects (he’s played by Miguel Torres Umba in an ape suit). His chimp grin that turns into a gnashing leer makes him as effective a figure of fear as most masked killers. And part of the grisly semi-comedy of it all is that he’s not evil, no more so than the shark in Jaws or the rabid St. Bernard in Cujo."
Practical Effects and Old-School Techniques
Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting also appreciates the humor in Primate, calling it an "intense roller coaster of horror." She praises the use of old-school techniques and stunning practical effects, which give the film "real bite." Navarro gives the film 3.5 out of 5 skulls, writing:
"Primate offers no frills intensity; the story is simple and straightforward by design. So much so that many plot or character details get dropped to streamline the terror. And Roberts delivers on the horror. Ben is practical, spectacularly crafted by Millennium FX, and played by movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba. The chimp’s quick but potent transformation from sweet pet to terrifying monster serves as the film’s biggest asset, enhanced by chilling shot composition and expert pacing that tests even the steeliest of nerves."
A Satisfyingly Over-the-Top Experience
Eric Goldman of IGN rates Primate a "Good" 7 out of 10, acknowledging that the movie is "inarguably silly" but in the right way. He notes that the film is gorier than the trailer suggests, making it a "satisfyingly over-the-top experience." Goldman adds:
"Primate doesn’t transcend its material or offer anything in the way of true surprises on a plot level, but look – if you buy a ticket for one killer chimpanzee movie this year, this one delivers the goods. It has fun set pieces, a great-looking animatronic costumed killer chimp, and applause-worthy gore for those of us who like when our horror gets messy."
Mixed Reactions from Critics
Pete Hammond of Deadline expresses some disappointment with Primate, calling it an indie-level attempt to exploit an idea. He notes that while the film features an attractive cast, including Johnny Sequoyah and Oscar winner Troy Kotsur, the script feels by-the-numbers. Hammond writes:
"This horror mashup looks more like an indie-level attempt to take an exploitable idea and run it into the ground with one novel way after another to chop up a teenage cast. Its key villain is not a Freddy or Jason or Michael Myers but it might as well have been in the by-the-number screenplay from director Johannes Roberts and Ernest Riera."
A Certified Fresh Success
Despite mixed reactions, Primate has received positive reviews overall, earning a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes at 77%. The practical effects, especially for the chimpanzee, have garnered widespread praise. Many critics suggest that the film is best enjoyed with a crowd, as it delivers a fun and gory experience.
If the concept of a violent chimpanzee sounds appealing, Primate is now playing in theaters. With its blend of horror and humor, it’s a must-see for fans looking for a thrilling and bloody start to 2026.