Primate

by Remington Gonser

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Director: Johannes Roberts
Starring: Miguel Torres Umba, Johnny Sequoyah & Jess Alexander
Rating: R (strong bloody violent content, gore, language & some drug use)
Runtime: 1 hour & 29 minutes

“Primate” is exactly what it says on the box: watch a family get attacked by their pet chimp. It’s not a novel idea, but that doesn’t make this film a flop. Drawing on those graphic and real stories of tragic ape attacks, “Primate” starts right off the bat with a gory and intense energy that it manages to keep relatively afloat throughout its runtime.

The only real hold-up I had was the dialogue and some performances in the non-ape-related portions of the film. Obviously, we have to get to know the characters and flesh them out before we let a chimp rip them apart, but a few of them feel very flat. I get that this is a horror film and that some of the characters are only here as ape-fodder. It’s what they wrote on the box; however, I do wish the dialogue flow and the motivation of a few side characters were a little stronger. I will say that some of the flatter side characters do a good job of elevating the protagonist and supporting cast, so I think it all served its purpose.

I have to tell you - although I have said this a few times now - this film is intense. If you can’t stomach gore (especially when you’re right up on it), I’m not going to suggest this for you. The first five minutes has an incredibly grisly death that I could see my more squeamish friends having to step out for if they chose to see it. With that being said, the practical effects in this film are insane! All of these gruesome deaths are highlighted by the realistic touch that you can only get from practical effects. Lots of goop in this here film. 

Bouncing off of that, one thing I wish I hadn’t known when going into the film is that the chimp is done with practical effects. No, they didn’t use a real chimp. I had read that they opted for an actor in a chimp costume before I had even considered seeing this film. I wish I had that saved for me until after the film so I could get the big reveal, because, boy howdy, does that chimp look real. Major props to whoever worked on and operated the suit, and huge shout-out to Miguel Torres Umba for his performance as Ben (the chimp). Wow. What a cherry on top for such an interesting film.

This is the chimpanzee horror film. Although this isn’t inherently a new idea, its execution as an ape-gone-bad is really well done. Ben the chimp hasn’t taken his turn for the worse because of some space rock, or demons, or some sort of cruel scientific research. This is a family pet/friend who is attacking the ones he loves due to natural causes I won’t spoil (though it’s explained right at the start of the film). I love that they take a more natural approach with this because apes are fucking scary. To no one’s surprise, I like apes very much, and I think they are so cool. I also know they are crazy strong, very quick learners and sometimes very cruel animals. That’s what makes this film hit so well. It could be real. A chimpanzee could rip you limb from limb. A chimpanzee could just decide to pull your face off. A chimpanzee could be an antagonist in your life if you suddenly found it in your home. It all works so well, and it definitely plays into why this film has stuck with me.