Primate (film)

Last updated

Primate
Primate poster.jpg
Teaser poster
Directed by Johannes Roberts
Written by
  • Johannes Roberts
  • Ernest Riera
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyStephen Murphy [1]
Edited byPeter Gvozdas
Music by Adrian Johnston [2]
Production
company
18hz Productions
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates
  • September 18, 2025 (2025-09-18)(Fantastic Fest)
  • January 9, 2026 (2026-01-09)(United States)
Running time
89 minutes [3]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Primate is a 2025 American natural horror film directed and co-written by Johannes Roberts. It stars Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Troy Kotsur.

Contents

The film premiered at the Fantastic Fest on September 18, 2025, and is scheduled to be released in theaters on January 9, 2026, by Paramount Pictures. It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Premise

A tropical vacation goes awry when a family's adopted chimpanzee named Ben suddenly becomes violent due to being bitten by a rabid animal.

Cast

Author Stephen King appears in an uncredited cameo as an animal control officer.

Production

In July 2024, Paramount Pictures greenlit Primate, from director Johannes Roberts, who co-wrote the script with Ernest Riera, with Walter Hamada producing through a first-look deal with Paramount, and Troy Kotsur starring. [6] The following month, Johnny Sequoyah joined the cast, which rounded out that October. [4] [5]

On September 16, 2024, Roberts revealed on his Instagram account that principal photography had begun. [7] On November 4, 2024, he announced filming had wrapped. [8]

The movie was shot on sound stages in London with sets designed by Simon Bowles.

Release

Primate premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 18, 2025, [9] and is scheduled to be theatrically released on January 9, 2026. [10]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 92% of 24 critics' reviews are positive. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Roberts, Johannes [@johannes_roberts_47]; (November 4, 2024). "47 M Primate" . Retrieved April 11, 2025– via Instagram.
  2. ↑ "Adrian Johnston Scoring Johannes Roberts' 'Primate'". Film Music Reporter. October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Primate (2026)". Irish Film Classification Office . October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy (August 1, 2024). "Johnny Sequoyah To Star Opposite Troy Kotsur In Paramount Pictures' Horror Feature 'Primate'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Cordero, Rosy (October 3, 2024). "Jessica Alexander Among 10 Rounding Out Cast Of Paramount Horror Pic 'Primate'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy (July 10, 2024). "Troy Kotsur To Lead Cast Of Johannes Roberts Horror Feature 'Primate' From Walter Hamada". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  7. ↑ Roberts, Johannes [@johannes_roberts_47]; (September 16, 2024). "Day one in the can. #Primate" . Retrieved April 11, 2025– via Instagram.
  8. ↑ Roberts, Johannes [@johannes_roberts_47]; (November 4, 2024). "And that's a wrap! #primate" . Retrieved April 11, 2025– via Instagram.
  9. ↑ Grobar, Matt (August 14, 2025). "Fantastic Fest Lineup: 'Black Phone 2,' 'Sisu: Road To Revenge,' ' Shelby Oaks,' 'Primate,' 'Vicious' & More Set For 20th Anniversary Edition". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  10. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 14, 2025). "'The Running Man' Dashes A Week Later, 18hz's 'Primate' Busting Out In January". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Primate". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved November 10, 2025. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
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