Following yesterday’s teaser, Paramount Pictures (via FearHQ.com) has released the first full trailer for a new animal attack movie, Primate, which looks like a cross between Stephen King’s Cujo and ’80s sci-fi horror flick Monkey Shines.

Directed and co-written by Johannes Roberts (The Other Side of the Door, 47 Meters Down, The Strangers: Prey at Night), the creature feature follows a family whose pet chimpanzee Ben – who is brought to life via impressive practical VFX – contracts rabies during a pool party and goes on a murderous rampage. 

The official synopsis reads: “A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.”

Primate premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 18, and is scheduled to be released in theaters on January 9, 2026.

Check out the teaser and poster below, along with some highly positive first reactions (the movie is currently sitting at 88% on Rotten Tomatoes).

Something’s wrong with Ben. #PrimateMovie is only in theatres January 9. pic.twitter.com/oVNHdqXwX7

— Primate Movie (@PrimateMovie) October 16, 2025

PRIMATE is mean as Hell. Like Capital M, MEAN. Grade A Creature Feature that knows what it is from the jump with its Carpenter-esque score and setting. If you think you know whose safe in this, think again.

Great blend of practical & digital chimpanzee effects with stellar gore. https://t.co/i8N3s2MgvP

— Max @SITGES FILM FEST (@ODSTSpartan) October 10, 2025

#Primate is the most fun I’ve had with an animal attack movie since Lake Placid. Intense, creepy, and find plenty of moments for laughs. The score was like a greatest hits love letter to John Carpenter. Oh…and PRACTICAL [frick]IN CARNAGE CANDY!!! Total blast!#FantasticFest pic.twitter.com/q6qIQ84M0e

— Cody Leach (@CodyLeachYT) September 19, 2025

Primate – Chimp Rabies Mayhem! Yo this movie is WAY better than it should be! Damn! Proper frightening horror filmmaking, exceptionally creative cinematography, extremely f’d up kills aplenty, yet still highly entertaining. This crazy chimp horror flick totally rocks. #Sitges2025 pic.twitter.com/TATUhjA6au

— Alex B. (@firstshowing) October 10, 2025

#PRIMATE at #FantasticFest is a blast of a killer monkey horror flick and reminder that practical FX will always reign supreme. Many shocking kills and crowd inciting moments backed by a fun score. Even when it’s silly, it works bc the movie is smart enough to be in on the joke.

— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) September 19, 2025

I went ape-shit for PRIMATE at @BeyondFest. It’s not just the first great horror movie of 2026, it’s Johannes Roberts’ best movie yet. It’s a movie perfectly calibrated to his strengths. He isn’t monkeying around — the tension is BANANAS. See it next year!! pic.twitter.com/fFobvEQhTx

— Joe Russo (@joerussotweets) September 25, 2025

PRIMATE directed by Johannes Roberts is the fest’s opening night film and what an opener. Gory, funny, suspenseful. Roberts delivers a film we can’t wait to watch again. #fantasticfest pic.twitter.com/sGEZAi889z

— In Love with Horror (@nlovewithhorror) September 19, 2025

PRIMATE is a gory crowd pleaser that utilizes Wes Craven sensibilities with old school animal suspense. The crowd was electric and eating it up. It plays on the fear of the thing we love becoming sick and turning on us. What a great way to start the festival. #Fantasticfest pic.twitter.com/YMqs6j5R43

— 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣 𝘿𝙤𝙩𝙨𝙤𝙣 (@JohnMovieWatch) September 19, 2025

Primate stars Johnny Sequoyah as Lucy, Jessica Alexander, as Hannah, Troy Kotsur as Adam, Victoria Wyant as Kate, Gia Hunter as Erin, Benjamin Cheng as Nick, Charlie Mann as Drew, and Miguel Torres Umba as Ben.