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Trailer for "Primate", released nationwide on 23/1. Video: CGV Cinemas Vietnam

"Primate" has grossed 39.6 million USD globally after more than one month in theaters, according to Box Office Mojo. This is considered a notable achievement for a horror film featuring a cast of young actors.

The film centers on Lucy, a college student who returns to her family's Hawaii villa to reunite with them and Ben, a chimpanzee raised since infancy. The house becomes lively when Lucy invites friends over. However, things take a chaotic turn when the pet is bitten by a rabid mongoose. Ben falls ill, progressively loses control, and begins attacking everyone present in the house.

Fearing water, Ben forces everyone to jump into the swimming pool for safety. They barricade themselves and attempt to contact the outside world. Ben, however, guards the group, preventing any escape. The film then highlights the consequences of treating a chimpanzee as a family member.

Johnny Sequoyah in a scene from "Primate". Photo: IMDb

The 89-minute film maintains a relentless pace through continuous stalking and chasing. Plot points evoke classic films like "The Shining" (1980) and "Halloween" (1978), such as Ben breaking cabinets and hunting Lucy and her friend Kate. Director Johannes Roberts interweaves humor from the characters' panicked reactions, providing necessary breaks before escalating to new climaxes.

When Erin is injured, the swimming pool ceases to be a safe zone. Lucy's group is forced to leave to find an escape route rather than wait for help. As Hannah has a chance to flee, Ben quickly stops her, extinguishing the hope of the next person attempting a risky move. Through these events, Roberts pushes the characters to their limits, creating critical turning points that underscore a survival struggle where even a small mistake can lead to a tragic outcome.

The primate's appearance in "Primate". Photo: Screen Rant

Lead actress Johnny Sequoyah delivers a competent performance. In scenes where Lucy and her sister Erin introduce Ben to their friends, Sequoyah's energy successfully ignites the welcoming atmosphere, setting a good start for the film. As the pet turns into a threat, the actress demonstrates quick reactions, from fleeing and seeking help to confronting danger.

The film earns praise for its makeup and visual effects. The chimpanzee Ben's appearance is not CGI but portrayed by actor Miguel Torres Umba. The Hollywood Reporter notes that Miguel's movements make the character unpredictable, creating a realistic feel when interacting with co-star Sequoyah. According to Bloody Disgusting, Roberts stated he commissioned Millennium FX to create the primate's look, opting against motion capture technology used in films like "Planet of the Apes". This company utilized a model with integrated eye and mouth sensors in the head, allowing the film crew to easily control expressions as desired.

The film's music, composed by Adrian Johnston in a 1980s Synthwave style, is impressive. TheWrap commented: "The composer uses electronic soundscapes to create a suffocating atmosphere, making viewers feel uneasy throughout the film".

However, the project suffers from script flaws. Slash Film observed that the screenwriters faced inconsistencies in developing the primate's psychology. When two strangers sneak into Lucy's house, Ben does not attack but quietly observes, choosing the moment his opponents are off guard to corner them. Although the animal is supposedly irrational, it sometimes acts cleverly, luring victims with calculated moves.

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