Primate, an early-year hunk of horror centering on the rage of a rabid chimpanzee named Ben, might be a victim of success. Not its own, but of recent horror movies that have taught us to expect a bit of thematic depth along with the expected helpings of gore.
The same can't be said for Primate, which moves from one bit of deranged chimp violence to another, generating tension in rote fashion. Where's the deadly chimp? When will he pounce?
After a quartet of young women leaps into a swimming pool to save themselves (the chimp can't swim), the movie doesn't exactly overindulge on imagination.
Humans aside, Primate leans heavily on the drooling chimp to satisfy its blood list. (Movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba plays Ben.)
And, yes, Ben's a badass. Among other things, he rips the face off his vet. He also dislodges the jawbone of a crude young man who's probably in the movie to fill out its victim roster.
At a fleet 89 minutes, the movie can be commended for efficiency and an attractive setting (a cliffside home in Hawaii) and for ... well ... I'm not sure what else.
The screenplay explains how Ben came to live in the home of a family in which Dad (Troy Kotsur) writes popular novels. Early on, Dad welcomes Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah), his college student daughter who's on semester break along with a couple of friends (Jessica Alexander and Victoria Wyant).
Younger sister (Gia Hunter) becomes involved when Dad leaves to promote his latest book, and Ben continues his shift from sweet to sour.
Kotsur, the deaf actor who won an Oscar for his work in CODA (2021), adds some plausibility, signing with his daughters. His character's deafness is used to up the tension in the late going.
Director Johannes Roberts' streamlined hunk of mayhem may appeal to those craving some no-frills horror. Otherwise, this slick offering follows a blueprint that offers jolts, gore -- and not much else.
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