‘PRIMATE’ Excites Horror Fans at Fantastic Fest with Gnarly Kills and Practical Effects

‘Primate’ Opens in Philippine Cinemas January 2026

They thought he was family. Primate, directed by Johannes Roberts and starring Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Troy Kotsur, Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng, Charlie Mann and Tienne Simon, had its world premiere to enthusiastic applause from horror and genre fans at Fantastic Fest in September, and will open in Philippine cinemas in January 2026. 

Primate had early screenings at popular genre festivals Fantastic Fest and Beyond Fest in the US, where horror, sci-fi and fantasy fans gather annually to celebrate their favorite genres. Fans enjoyed the gnarly kills and praised the film for its use of practical effects.

“Primate does for monkeys what Jaws did for sharks, only with more fur, sharper teeth, and a far greater sense of blood and guts. It’s punk rock horror at its snarling, cymbal-crashing best,” posted Bryan Kluger of Boomstick. 

“PRIMATE is Cujo for chimpanzees, old school nature-gone-rogue creature feature at its most entertaining and morbidly hilarious. The film makes the most of its creative premise of a bunch of young adults trapped in a house with rabies-infected pet chimp. Gnarly kills balanced with some hilarious moments of Ben the chimp, who is actualized with some incredible practical effects. Great start to #FantasticFest,” posted The Holo Files. 

Anthony of No Assembly Required posted about the film: “An ode to Stephen King & bloody practical effects. A rambunctious audience horror that is as brutal as it is outrageous. Johannes Roberts loves his intense pool scenes. Outstanding puppetry giving every fright emotional weight. Had the whole crowd hollering.”

“#PRIMATE at #FantasticFest is a blast of a killer monkey horror flick and reminder that practical FX will always reign supreme. Many shocking kills and crowd inciting moments backed by a fun score. Even when it’s silly, it works bc the movie is smart enough to be in on the joke,” posted JoBlo. 

“Primate is the creature feature you’ve been waiting for—intense, bloody, and brutal as hell. If you ever needed a reason not to have a pet monkey, this is it. The practical effects are jaw-dropping, leaving me wincing and squirming in my seat from start to finish. Holy sh*t, this was epic. Bodies fly, limbs tear, and there’s absolutely no monkey business here. Johannes Roberts returns with a bloody vengeance, delivering pure carnage,” posted According to Seth.

“#Primate is the most fun I’ve had with an animal attack movie since Lake Placid. Intense, creepy, and find plenty of moments for laughs. The score was like a greatest hits love letter to John Carpenter. Oh…and PRACTICAL FUCKIN CARNAGE CANDY!!! Total blast!” posted YouTuber Cody Leach. 

Get ready to go bananas for Primate when it opens in Philippine cinemas January 2026. #PrimateMovie

Check out the poster! 

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

About Primate:

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Domain Entertainment

An 18Hz Production

“PRIMATE”

SYNOPSIS: 

In PRIMATE, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

 Vicki Dee Rock,  Nathan Samdahl, Johannes Roberts, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony

Tittanegro, Andrew Lary

PRODUCED BY

Walter Hamada, p.g.a., John Hodges, p.g.a., Bradley Pilz

WRITTEN BY

Johannes Roberts & Ernest Riera

DIRECTED BY

Johannes Roberts

STARRING

Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Troy Kotsur, Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng, Charlie Mann, Tienne Simon.

Watch the trailer: