First Look at ‘Primate’ Shows Dream Holiday Turning Deadly

Paramount Pictures has released the official trailer for Primate, a ferocious new survival horror from British filmmaker Johannes Roberts, the mind behind 47 Meters Down and The Strangers: Prey at Night. The trailer teases an intense tropical nightmare where a family holiday descends into chaos after a beloved pet chimpanzee turns violently against its owners. The film will open FrightFest‘s Halloween event on 31st October, then in UK cinemas from 30 January 2026.

Roberts, known for his gripping tension and claustrophobic thrills, co-wrote the screenplay with his long-time collaborator Ernest Riera, with production from genre heavyweight Walter Hamada. The film stars Johnny Sequoyah (Dexter: New Blood), Jessica Alexander (The Little Mermaid) and Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur (CODA).

Primate follows a close-knit group of friends whose idyllic getaway to a lush island paradise becomes a deadly fight for survival when a family’s adopted chimp, Ben, is bitten by a rabid animal and begins a violent rampage. What begins as an exotic escape quickly spirals into chaos as the survivors confront the brutal consequences of tampering with nature.

The trailer sets a relentless tone, balancing visceral animal horror with Roberts’ trademark blend of suspense and spectacle. The tropical setting, bathed in humid tension, contrasts sharply with the escalating terror as human and animal instincts collide. Critics who caught the premiere at Fantastic Fest last month praised the film’s practical effects, raw performances, and emotional weight beneath the carnage. Early reviews have called it Roberts’ most ambitious and disturbing film to date.

Primate continues Roberts’ fascination with survival under extreme circumstances, following the claustrophobic ocean terror of 47 Meters Down and the urban menace of The Strangers: Prey at Night. Here, he turns his lens to the wild, exploring humanity’s fragile place in the natural order. The director has described the film as a “primal confrontation between civilisation and chaos,” built on intense physical performances and a commitment to realism.

Sequoyah leads the film as Lucy, a young woman forced to face unimaginable horrors while clinging to her humanity. Alexander co-stars as Hannah, while Kotsur takes on the role of Adam, a father figure whose quiet strength is tested when the group’s survival instincts kick in. The supporting cast includes Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng and Miguel Torres Umba as Ben, the film’s chilling centrepiece.

Filmed under tight conditions on location in tropical environments, Primate promises to combine character-driven emotion with full-throttle horror spectacle. The result looks set to position Roberts among the foremost modern genre directors, blending creature horror with a sharp psychological edge.

Paramount plans release the film in cinemas across the UK on 30 January. To catch it early, don’t miss the UK premiere at FrightFest Halloween.

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