Primate: Stephen King-Inspired Horror Unleashes Deadly Primate Rampage

January 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month as Paramount Pictures just released the first official trailer for the horror film Primate. In under three chilling minutes, viewers are plunged into a nightmare where Ben, a pet chimpanzee once considered the family’s beloved companion, turns into a bloodthirsty beast after being bitten by a rabid mongoose.

The story begins in sunny Hawaii, where Lucy (played by Johnny Sequoyah of “Dexter: New Blood”) returns to a seaside villa with friends. There, they meet her father Adam (Oscar-winning deaf actor Troy Kotsur), her sister Erin, and Ben, the rescued chimpanzee raised by the family. Ben appears intelligent and friendly, even shaking hands with Lucy’s new friends, who remain cautious but believe he is harmless.

When Adam is suddenly called away for work, Lucy and her friends Kate, Hannah (Disney’s Jessica Alexander), and Kate’s brother Nick decide to throw a pool party at the villa. Unbeknownst to them, Ben is bitten by a rabid mongoose. In agony and frenzy, the gentle chimpanzee they knew disappears, replaced by a savage creature driven by bloodlust.

Knowing Ben cannot swim, the group takes refuge in the pool. But drifting all night is far from a wise choice. They try to call for help, but on a lively summer night, no one is available to answer. Forced to band together, they must outsmart Ben’s primal instincts to survive this nightmare.

The nearly three-minute trailer immediately impressed audiences with its intense pacing, terrifying visuals, and tense atmosphere as the friends face the primal fury of a creature once considered family. Though no graphic violence is shown, the trailer is enough to excite horror and monster movie fans.

Director Johannes Roberts revealed that the film draws heavy inspiration from Stephen King’s 1981 novel Cujo and its 1983 adaptation, which centers on a mother and son attacked by a rabid dog. In an interview with Polygon, Roberts said, “I’m a huge Stephen King fan and a big fan of the Cujo brand.” He also shared that memories of his mother’s dog running around their pool inspired the scene where Lucy and friends hide in the water, exploiting Ben’s fear of water to survive.

Primate premiered publicly on September 18 at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, an annual event celebrating horror and extreme cinema. It received widespread praise from critics and fans alike. David Crow of Den of Geek commented, “Debuting amid screams at Fantastic Fest’s opening night, Primate obsessively crafts harrowing torture scenes and brutal ape-on-ape violence. Whenever Ben corners or stalks victims, the audience shares the characters’ fear, wondering what the enraged chimp might do next.”

Movie Web also praised the cast: “Johnny Sequoyah and Victoria Wyant stand out. Lucy (Sequoyah) is resourceful but not perfect, feeling authentic as she faces a cunning opponent. Sequoyah conveys the torment of having to kill a memory tied to her mother. Wyant, as Lucy’s best friend, transforms fear into a powerful survival will.”

Following its Fantastic Fest debut, Primate has received glowing early reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 92% fresh rating, signaling strong approval from critics and audiences alike.

PRIMATE is scheduled for release on January 23, 2026.