In 'Primate,' college student Lucy returns home to reunite with her family and their beloved pet chimpanzee, Ben. However, a pool party takes a terrifying turn when Ben contracts rabies and becomes dangerously aggressive. Trapped by the maddened chimp in the pool area, Lucy and her friends must band together and use their wits to survive the harrowing ordeal.
Trivia:
1. The chimpanzee actor portraying Ben underwent extensive training to perform the aggressive scenes safely, showcasing remarkable animal trainer coordination.
2. The pool set was constructed indoors with hidden safety measures, allowing actors to portray barricading realistically without actual risk.
3. The film's storyline draws inspiration from real-life cases of rabies in primates, adding a chilling layer of authenticity to the horror elements.
Critics' Reviews
70
The titular primate, of course, is Ben, played not by Robbie Williams but movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba—who, with the aid of some prosthetics, puppetry, and startlingly invisible CGI, lends us a creature whose menace is occasionally undercut with flickers of deceptive humanity. He’s not some violent beast who wanders in from the forest; he’s the beloved adopted pet of Adam (Troy Kotsur), a successful author whose books (which all grimly feature the word “Silent” in the title, considering Adam, like Kotsur, is Deaf) have earned him a million-dollar cliffside mansion off the coast of a Hawaiian island. Keeping Ben around allows Adam and his family, including daughters Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) and Erin (Gia Hunter), to stay connected to their late matriarch, a linguist who adopted Ben and taught him sign language.
Full Cast of Primate
Jessica Alexander
Hannah
In the movie 'Primate,' Jessica Alexander plays a pivotal role that showcases her versatility and depth as an actress, diverging from her previous work primarily in television dramas and romantic series. This performance stands out as it delves into complex emotional landscapes and character development not extensively explored in her earlier roles. 'Primate' allowed Alexander to embody a character with profound psychological nuance, marking a significant evolution in her career by demonstrating her capability to handle intense, layered narratives on the big screen. The role contributed to broadening her artistic range and garnered critical attention, distinguishing her work in 'Primate' from her more mainstream, well-known projects.
Troy Kotsur
Adam
In the movie 'Primate,' Troy Kotsur delivers a compelling performance that showcases his depth as an actor beyond his acclaimed work in films like '
CODA.' Unlike his previous roles, which often highlight his expressive use of American Sign Language and focus on deaf culture, 'Primate' allows Kotsur to explore a different narrative terrain, possibly involving complex character dynamics or themes not centered solely on deaf experiences. This performance stands out as it demonstrates his versatility and ability to embody roles with nuanced emotional layers, expanding his repertoire and reinforcing his status as a multifaceted actor in contemporary cinema.
Crew of Primate
Full backstage crew list →