Primate (2026)

Home from college, Lucy reunites with family including pet chimp Ben. Ben contracts rabies during a pool party and turns aggressive. Lucy and friends barricade in pool, devising ways to survive the vicious chimp.

From Dog to Chimp: Initially, the script featured a dog as the central animal threat, but the filmmakers later transitioned to a chimpanzee. Director Johannes Roberts said someone at Paramount suggested that no movie has ever worked in existence without an adult character, so they added the dad role.
Old School Effects: Primate relies heavily on practical effects, animatronics, and puppetry to bring the killer chimpanzee to life, drawing inspiration from the techniques used in the classic horror film Cujo. Miguel Torres Umba, who played Ben, went full method for the role.
Breaking Barriers: Troy Kotsur's involvement is a significant breakthrough, showcasing a deaf character in a horror movie and offering a fresh perspective on the genre. Kotsur initially hesitated but was convinced after seeing the practical effects for the chimp.
A Family Affair Turned Nightmare: The film explores the dark side of familiar bonds, twisting the idea of a family pet into a source of primal terror. Ben, the chimpanzee, is portrayed as the heart and soul of the family before a rabid animal bite triggers his violent transformation.
Humor in Horror: Director Johannes Roberts, a John Carpenter fan, incorporated humor into the film, balancing the extreme gore with playful moments arising from the preposterous scenario. Miguel, who played Ben, brought a unique personality to the character, influencing the director to add more comedic elements.