In Primate, a family’s beloved, furry member catches them off-guard when they discover he has always had the potential to bring death into their home.
Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) is returning home for the first time since her mother’s death. Her absence was difficult on her younger sister, Erin (Gia Hunter), and their mother’s chimp, Ben (Miguel Torres Umba), but she’s looking forward to reconnecting. Unfortunately, Ben has to spend the weekend in his enclosure after an unfortunate run-in with another animal. But when Ben escapes, no one is safe from his disease-addled mind.
The film begins very strong from a horror perspective. The first scene delivers a gruesome kill that sets a high bar for the impending violence. Unfortunately, the deaths that follow are much less impressive. The early carnage creates high expectations at the start, then fails to follow through, serving as just one of many disappointments.
Initially, Lucy’s family appear to be good guardians for Ben. However, when he loses control, they prove completely unprepared to handle the situation. The lack of basic fail safes is clearly a plot device so the terror can continue uninterrupted, but the incompetence is galling.
On a positive note, the chimp work is very convincing. Umba’s performance is impeccable. CGI could not accomplish the necessary interaction between Ben and the human characters. It’s the one thing this film has going for it.
Director: Johannes Roberts
Starring: Johnny Sequoyah, Troy Kotsur and Victoria Wyant
