Movies
‘Primate’ Poster Reveals the Killer Chimp Slasher’s Fully Practical Ape
Fresh off the film’s premiere at Fantastic Fest, the first official poster for Paramount’s Primate has been revealed this week, giving us our very first look at the movie’s killer chimp.
Meet Ben. First you’ll fall in love with him. Then he’ll tear your heart right out of your chest.
As Meagan explains in her review, “Ben is practical, spectacularly crafted by Millennium FX, and played by movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba. The chimp’s transformation from sweet pet to terrifying monster serves as the film’s biggest asset, enhanced by chilling shot composition and expert pacing that tests even the steeliest of nerves.”
“Primate may not ultimately impress for originality, but as an old school animal attack creature feature, it’s an adrenaline rush of fun,” Meagan’s review for Bloody Disgusting continues.
From Paramount’s horror label 18hz Productions, Primate is directed by Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down, The Strangers: Prey at Night, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City).
Here’s the plot synopsis for Primate: “Home from college, Lucy reunites with family including pet chimp Ben. Ben contracts rabies during a pool party and turns aggressive. Lucy and friends barricade in pool, devising ways to survive the vicious chimp.”
Primate releases in theaters January 9, 2026.
Johannes Roberts co-wrote the screenplay for Primate with Ernest Riera. The horror movie stars Johnny Sequoyah and Oscar®-winning Troy Kotsur (CODA).
Walter Hamada is producing Primate, part of a new horror pact with Paramount.
Hollywood is serious about landing the next Backrooms. Hot on the heels of a Siren Head feature announcement, Deadline reports that a new movie based on viral YouTube series The Mandela Catalogue is in development.
It also has some Hollywood heavy hitters behind it.
Amblin Entertainment’s Steven Spielberg, United Artists’ Scott Stuber (Frankenstein), and Amazon MGM Studios are set to produce, emerging victorious after a highly competitive 11-studio bidding war.
Launched in 2021, the YouTube series is set in the fictional Mandela County, Wisconsin which is “invaded by shape-shifting, nearly immortal creatures called Alternates. The Alternates are led by a false depiction of the Archangel Gabriel and their aim is to wipe out the human race by psychologically torturing them to the point of suicide. The Alternates are known for manipulating AV media, TVs, computers and GPS systems.”
The movie will be directed by the series’ creator, Alex Kister, based on a screenplay he adapted with Tyler Clifton.
The Mandela Catalogue has racked up an impressive 100 million views across its official episodes alone, solidifying it as one of the largest original analog horror franchises on YouTube.
Spielberg and Holly Bario are producing for Amblin Entertainment alongside Aaron B. Koontz for Paper Street Pictures and Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for United Artists. Kister and Clifton are also producing. Annie McCreery will oversee the project for United Artists. Maria Fortese will oversee for Amblin.
Get acquainted with The Mangela Catalogue below while we wait to learn more.
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