Primate

Name: Primate
Genre: Horror
Released: January 9, 2026
Duration: 89 min
Rating: 58

2026

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Mixed or average reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: January 9, 2026

Summary: A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale horror and survival.

Genre(s): Horror

Runtime: 89 min

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Critic Reviews

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

Jan 8, 2026

Roberts, who also directed hit shark thriller 47 Metres Down and its superior follow-up, is mostly at his savviest and most ruthlessly efficient here, a confident leveling up for a genre film-maker finding his sweet spot. After a lacklustre year for horror, Primate makes for a wildly entertaining start to 2026. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Jan 12, 2026

It doesn’t feel fresh, but neither is it stale. Despite the very modern setting, the throwback elements are by far the most welcome aspects being offered, proving that sometimes, sticking to the basics is the smartest move a director can make. Read full review

Tara Brady

Jan 28, 2026

It makes no grand claims for itself, gesturing briefly at ethical complexity before pegging it towards efficient, blood-soaked mayhem. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Jan 9, 2026

Primate is often a blunt instrument, but these set pieces exude a little elegance in their sustained dread. Read full review

Empire Kim Newman

Feb 3, 2026

Okay, so it’s Cujo with a chimp and a pool instead of a dog and a car – but Primate delivers good, gruesome business and has a sense of fun. Solid horror hokum. Read full review

Slashfilm Witney Seibold

Jan 8, 2026

In terms of cheap, late-night, exploitation flick fun, it satisfies. Read full review

Hannah Strong

Jan 28, 2026

A horror film about the brazen folly of attempting to domesticate a chimpanzee, or even about the terrifying reality of rabies (which is almost always fatal once a patient is symptomatic) should work. Unfortunately Primate has little interest in its own subject matter – technical plot holes and interchangeable characters aside, there’s no consideration given to Ben’s role within the Pinborough family, let alone the macabre history of domestic chimp attacks in America. Read full review

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