‘Violent and gory’ movie about killer chimp declared best movie of the year already

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Critics have heaped praise on an ‘insane horror film set to be released later this month, already hailing it as one of the best films of 2026. Following its festival run, Primate is set to be released on January 30 and is directed by 47 Metres Down and The Strangers: Prey at Night’s Johannes Roberts. It follows the story of an average American family and their pet chimpanzee, Ben. When Ben is bitten by a rabid animal, he suddenly becomes incredibly violent, putting everyone around him in mortal danger. Primate has proved a hit with critics ahead of its release, including those who managed to see it in London at last year’s FrightFest Halloween. Taking to social media following special screenings, several critics gushed about the gratuitous violence and gore in the animal attack film. Primate is set to be released in UK cinemas on January 30 (Picture: AP) It follows one family’s fight against their pet chimpanzee when it becomes incredibly vicious (Picture: AP) Filmmaker Joe Russo posted on X: ‘Seen Primate twice and I’m happy to report, I’m still bananas for it. We got a five-star banger and it’s only January.’ Endiive added: ‘Primate was soooo thrilling I couldn’t peel my eyes away the entire time. The gore was actually fabulous, Ben was not f*****g playing with them b*****s. I will be seeing this two more times in theaters.’ JCaseyChapman said it was a ‘must see’, while Lulamaybelle said the gore was ‘jaw-dropping.’ Derrick Murray encouraged horror lovers to watch it in cinemas for the full experience, writing: ‘Primate is straight up apes**t! A solid creature feature that smartly keeps its premise simple, its violence gnarly, its runtime lean and mean and its effects practical. 0 fat, no metaphor for grief, just pure unadulterated monkey mayhem. Worth seeing in a theater with a crowd.’ Meanwhile, Brett Gursky posted: ‘Congrats to #JohannesRoberts on his INSANE new movie #Primate! 🎬 A project 15 years in the making. You’ve never seen anything like this before. (That is, if you’re not hiding your eyes…).’ Critics have heaped praise on the ‘gory’ and ‘insane’ film (Picture: AP) Is Primate worth seeing? Freelance film critic Rebecca Sayce shares her review... When a man has his face ripped off in the first five minutes of a film, you know you’re in for a wild ride. If there is one thing that terrifies me in horror, and indeed in real life, it is chimpanzees. Jordan Peele’s Nope lives rent-free in my mind thanks to that scene, and I’ve never been brave enough to watch Monkey Shines or Link. Primate delivers exactly what you would expect – 89 minutes of B-movie worthy gore and violence that will have splatter enthusiasts seated from the very beginning. While some of its more dramatic, human elements don’t land, Primate doubles down on its stomach-twisting brutality that ramps up the tension in such a way that it’s easy to forgive its more puzzling choices. Ultimately, it’s a straightforward, no-nonsense horror film that kicks off the 2026 calendar in explosive fashion. Primate is a film that needs to be seen on the largest screen possible, with a huge bucket of popcorn and your friends in town ready to wince and squirm in their seats every time Ben’s rabid, bloody grin graces the screen. 3 stars Primate currently sits at a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 66 critic reviews, with the consensus reading: ‘That’s one bad ape, and Primate is one lean, mean, effective chiller.’ In their review, The Guardian said: ‘Roberts, who also directed hit shark thriller 47 Metres Down and its superior follow-up, is mostly at his savviest and most ruthlessly efficient here, a confident leveling up for a genre film-maker finding his sweet spot.’ Play Video Horror film hailed as ‘phenomenal’ available to stream before sequel release Scary Movie star and bodybuilder Jayne Trcka dies aged 62 7 cosy snow day films to stream from the warmth of your home Bloody Disgusting wrote: ‘Roberts’ old school techniques, complete with stunning practical effects, and nail-biting suspense, ensure this animal attack feature has real bite.’ Austin Chronicle praised: ‘If you wish that Nope had just doubled-down on the chimp violence, Primate is absolutely the blood-flavored popcorn flick you’ve been waiting for.’ Additionally, critic Perri Nemiroff said on her YouTube channel: ‘Practical creature work at its finest, and some top tier gore. Primate is a hugely successful swing-for-the-fences wild time. An excellent start for the horror genre in 2026.’ Primate is released in UK cinemas on January 30. Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: Horror film hailed as ‘phenomenal’ available to stream before sequel release Arrow MORE: Fans spot ‘diabolical’ link between Ashton Kutcher’s new thriller and Demi Moore film Arrow MORE: Scary Movie star and bodybuilder Jayne Trcka dies aged 62 Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

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