Primate, the horror film directed by Johannes Roberts, airs on Canal+ on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 9:06 p.m.. Released in theaters in January 2026, this animal-themed slasher features Troy Kotsur, Johnny Sequoyah, Kevin McNally, Jessica Alexander, Victoria Wyant and Gia Hunter.
A group of friends retreat to a secluded island villa for what should be a carefree getaway, only to watch it descend into a nightmare. The threat comes from Ben, the family’s domesticated chimpanzee, infected with rabies and spiraling out of control.
Trapped, the residents must scramble to survive a creature they know all too well, even as some remain emotionally attached to it. The film turns a paradise-like setting into a claustrophobic battleground, sparking a string of brutally violent confrontations.
Co-written by Johannes Roberts and Ernest Riera, who previously collaborated on 47 Meters Down, Primate sits in the tradition of survival horror and animal-centric fright. The chimpanzee is portrayed by Miguel Torres Umba using prosthetics and practical effects, chosen to give the creature a stronger physical presence.
Our take on Primate
Primate, the horror film directed by Johannes Roberts, clearly sits in the tradition of the creature feature and the animal-slash subgenre, not bothering to hide its aims. In just under ninety minutes, the filmmaker delivers a tight, taut narrative in which a contaminated chimpanzee becomes an uncontrollable threat. No needless sermons or overblown psychology: Primate goes straight ahead, presenting a simple but rigorously executed proposition, conceived first and foremost as a sensory experience.
The film’s greatest achievement lies in its immediate impact. Roberts plunges viewers into a bath of frontal violence and mounting tension from the outset. The pace stays brisk almost from the first frame and hardly ever lets up, making the most of the film’s compact runtime. At a moment when many horror films tend to stretch themselves thin, Primate makes the healthy, refreshing choice of concision: every scene serves a clear purpose, and each surge in suspense feeds the next.
One cannot overlook the impressive work around the creature itself. The chimpanzee, portrayed by Miguel Torres Umba with practical effects and prosthetics, carries a striking realism. The attention to its physical evolution—eyes, stance, aggression—perfectly tracks the dramatic arc of the story. As the rage takes hold, its body shifts, making the threat progressively more tangible. This commitment to tangible effects, rather than a fully digital assault, gives the film an organic texture and a visceral violence rarely so credible in the genre.
Admittedly, the screenplay remains deliberately minimalist. The human characters are sketched more than fleshed out, and the plot rarely seeks to surprise with elaborate twists. But that critique should be tempered: Primate never pretends to be anything more than a tight, visceral, no-frills horror film, designed first and foremost to deliver sensory impact.
The simplicity of the setup actually frees the film to focus on what matters: the rise of fear, the choreography of violence, and the management of suspense. Roberts’ direction excels at building to crescendos. The gory, sometimes explicit, moments are carefully prepared, and while the violence can be extreme, it remains integral to the film’s logic. Horror enthusiasts will find a generous, taut, and occasionally punishing showcase here, clearly aimed at a seasoned audience.
In the end, Primate fulfills its remit to the letter. It doesn’t pretend to reinvent the genre or offer a profound meditation on human nature; it proudly owns its status as a gore-drenched, nerve-jangling entertainment. The film speaks most clearly to fans of animal-centric horror, efficient slashers, and high-adrenaline thrills. Those seeking a sophisticated plot or memorable characters may stay away, but genre aficionados will find a solid, tense, and superbly controlled experience here.
Watch the trailer for Primate:
To go further, also check out our pick of films, series and programs to watch on television this week, our guide to new releases across all platforms, and today’s selection: What to watch today on streaming.
