‘Primate’ (2025) is a hairball covered in blood that’ll have you jumping

Primate (2025) is director Johannes Robert’s newest film about a family friend who goes bananas. It’s a hair-pulling, tense ride that’ll have you flinging popcorn. With a message that, despite the distance, language, or species, family conquers all.

A college student’s home reunion turns into a nightmare when the family’s pet Chimp gets rabies. The family's distance is at the core of all the conflict in the film. Their mom has passed away from cancer. Lucy's absence has taken its toll. Her sister Erin is distant. She doesn’t trust Lucy and disregards her. Her father Adam, is a workaholic that's grown complacent with the mundane routine to the point he’s hesitant to act during a crisis. Lucy seems interested in hanging with her friends and maintaining a status amongst them as a party girl. These are all symptoms of their mom’s death not being grieved by them together. Ben becomes the physical embodiment of the mother’s cancer. It can only be beaten if they come together as a family.

The score was the best part for me. Composed by Adrian Johnston. Reminded me of John Carpenter, Mogwai, and Goblin. It’s a dark synth sound that compounds the cruelty shown on screen. Blood and gore were used well. Not recommended for the sensitive. Faces are ripped into more than once. I loved the film's use of practical effects. Ben was played by Miguel Torres Umba. He’s fantastic. The moments where Ben is playing with the family make him feel like

he’s a member. I would have wanted more of it. When he turns rabid, he acts like a demon with a friend's face on. It’s a madhouse that’s earned its spot next to other spectacular monkey movies.

7 bananas out of 10.

Review by: Andrew Brito